(WESTERVILLE, OH — September 29, 2011) Hydrogeologist James W. Goeke of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has received a Life Member Award from the National Ground Water Association for special service in the furtherance of the groundwater industry and NGWA.
Goeke, emeritus professor in the UNL School of Natural Resources, Conservation and Survey Division, retired earlier this year. He began his career more than 40 years ago in Nebraska as a young research hydrogeologist “willing to get his hands dirty,” said nominator Tom Downey, CWD/PI, a Nebraska water well drilling contractor and 2006 president of NGWA.
“His hands-on approach, especially drilling deep test holes in the Nebraska Sandhills was invaluable to gaining insight, knowledge, and being able to quantify the groundwater resource in this vast region of Nebraska. Much of the information gained from that era of test hole drilling is used to develop water policy decisions today,” Downey said.
“Jim has traveled countless miles to give presentations and talks to all kinds of groups, business leaders, civic clubs, et cetera to help citizens learn and understand the most valuable resource of Nebraska,” said Downey, adding that Goeke’s work has been particularly impactful during the period of heavy irrigation development in the state.
This award will be presented December 1 at the 2011 NGWA Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.___________________________NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.###