I am pleased to introduce Paul Bauer as the recipient of the 2002 Robert Webb award for teaching excellence and service to the society. I am particularly pleased tonight as I look around and see several past recipients of this honor including Drs. Greg Wheeler, Barney Pipkin and Dee Trent. Other awardees not here include Drs. Bob Norris, Joan Baldwin, and the late Dottie Stout. I have had two of these professors myself and from experience I can say with conviction that they were truly exceptional.

For those who aren’t aware, the Webb award is not given annually, but rather only on occasions when someone clearly deserves the award. It honors a great teacher and active member of this society, the late Dr. Robert Webb. I can’t pretend to have known Dr. Webb, but I have worked with several that had studied under him at UCSB. From the respect they showed for him it was clear that he was truly a teacher of the highest caliber. Tonight, we are honoring a similar person of high ability and commitment to our profession, our society and to his students.

Paul Bauer has taught geology for over 31 years. Having earned degrees at the University of Oregon and San Jose State, Paul worked briefly for the USGS and as a middle school and high school science teacher before moving to San Luis Obispo and Cuesta College in 1971. Paul assumed the role of the resident "hard-rock" geologist alongside the late Jeb Bowen and has taught Physical Geology, California Geology, Geologic Hazards, Physical Science and until recently, a rigorous, transferable course in mineralogy for geology majors. By a conservative estimate, over 5000 students have taken his classes and many have earned bachelors and advanced degrees in the field. Most important, he has helped many students by being a rock-solid teacher, a mentor and sometimes, a surrogate father. During my 15 years at Cuesta, I know of several students who have stayed for extended periods in his home where he has provided food, shelter and much needed guidance.

I too have benefited from his guidance. I leaned heavily on his expertise during my early years when the prep time involved in teaching seemed overwhelming. At times I simply copied his lectures to get by. I realized tonight that I have been schooled by not two, but three different winners of this prestigious award! Thank you Paul for all your help.

Paul’s service to the society has also been great. He has served as president of the Far Western Section, counselor at large representing our section at the national level and for the past five years, has taken on the big job of publications coordinator, responsible for the organization and sale of guidebooks throughout the year. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of his tenure with the society was his near single-handed sponsorship of the fall 1993 meeting held at Cuesta College. This was the most successful meeting, in recent memory and Paul not only edited the guidebook, lead a field trip, taught a workshop for secondary educators. He even got around to cooking the meal for over 200 participants! Quite an achievement!

Often these honors are given to people near the end of a career, and with 31 years in front of a chalkboard, it would seem logical that Paul might be moving on soon. But the spark is still there, and his lectures today are as clear and timely as when I joined the school in 1988. I am convinced that when I drop dead at my desk, Paul will be the one to hire and train the new instructor!

One more thing, Paul has a wonderful wife and family with three incredible children. The youngest of whom just completed his degree (with honors I’m told) in geology at UCSB! Dr. Webb would be so proud!

As the old TV commercial used to say, for professionalism in the classroom, commitment to students and dedication to the profession and our society; Paul Bauer, the 2002 Webb award recipient, you got this the old fashion way, you earned it!