The Virginia Museum of Natural History in hosted its 28th Annual Thomas Jefferson Awards ...

February 20, 2015

The Virginia Museum of Natural History in hosted its 28th Annual Thomas Jefferson Awards ceremony at the Library of Virginia in Richmond on February 11, 2015. The museum's Thomas Jefferson Awards is a statewide event that honors individuals and corporations for outstanding contributions to natural science and natural science education. This event was sponsored by the Marjorie Sutton Memorial Foundation, Bruce Wingo, and Bassett Furniture Industries.

The Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science was presented to Paul E. Olsen, Ph.D., Arthur D. Storke Memorial Professor at Columbia University. The award was presented by Andrew B. Heckert, Ph.D., Professor, Vertebrate Paleontology at Appalachian State University.

The Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science Education was presented to Julia H. Cothron, Ed.D., Executive Director (retired), MathScience Innovation Center. The award was presented by Eric Rhoades, Director, Office of Science and Health Education, Virginia Department of Education.

The William Barton Rogers Corporate Award was presented to American Electric Power. Accepting on behalf of AEP were Charles Patton, President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Jones, External Affairs Director, Ron Jefferson, External Affairs Manager, and Larry Jackson, External Affairs Manager. The award was presented by Gary R. Wilson, Director, Caroline County Department of Economic Development & Tourism.

The Thomas Jefferson Award for Conservation was presented to the National Geographic Society, with John Francis, Vice President for Research, Conservation, and Exploration, accepting. This award was presented by Dr. James S. Beard, Director of Research & Collections, VMNH.