Journal of Paleontology, 91(6), 2017, p. 1353 Copyright © 2017, The Paleontological Society 0022-3360/17/0088-0906 doi: 10.1017/jpa.2017.117
Awards and Citations
Presentation of the 2016 Schuchert Award of the Paleontological Society to Alycia L. Stigall
Bruce S. Lieberman Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,KUBiodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence,Kansas 66045, USA ⟨
blieber@ku.edu⟩
It is a privilege to be able to stand here and present my first graduate student with the Charles Schuchert Award. Being a mentor to students like Alycia is undoubtedly the most satisfying part of being a professor. She is a highly deserving Schuchert awardee, not only for her incredible scientificacumen, but also because of her quality and integrity as an individual. This merit is further buttressed by the tireless work she has performed as a scientist, educator, andmentor, and in the service she has done on behalf of our society and discipline. It was an amazing professional opportunity to have such an outstanding student early in my career. Alycia arrived possessing not only a superlative academic background, but also a coveted NSF graduate research fellowship. While at the University of Kansas she went on to win
another prestigious graduate fellowship and attain many notable firsts, including becoming the first person to apply geographic information systems to macroevolutionary analyses of the fossil record, and the first paleontologist to use ecological niche mod- eling: two important techniques in evolutionary biology and paleontology. Alycia has since gone on to train paleontologists around the world in niche modeling. Moreover, she made major contributions tomacroevolutionary theory by extending the study of speciation modes, and exploring the impact that invasive species have had on ancient ecosystems. All of this work, as well as field projects in Antarctica, Africa, and North America, con- tinues to the present day. On top of this, she has also become an internationally recognized expert on brachiopods. And as Alycia likes to say, if there is one thing that this world doesn’t have enough of, it’s internationally recognized experts on brachiopods. Beyond her incredible research skills, Alycia has done an
exceptional job as a mentor and teacher at her native Ohio University. It is truly stunning to contemplate all that she has achieved. When you spend time with anyone, you definitely get to learn more about them, and Alycia is no exception. For instance,
I came to find out that she actually liked country music, a secret so deep and dark she would only share it with me in a “Subway” sandwich shop in Grinnell, Iowa. There is also Alycia’s pro- found aversion to huckleberries. I too developed an aversion to huckleberries after watching that “Tombstone” movie where Val Kilmer, spoiler alert, is compelled to shoot that annoying guy he kept calling “huckleberry.” However, I can say that I diverge with her on country music, except for some Rolling Stones’ songs from the 1970s. Seriously though, one of Alycia’s eminent qualities is not only is she capable of working extre- mely hard, but she always insists on standing up for what’s right: this has been especially true in supporting opportunities for women in paleontology. Seeing your students go on to great success is the academic
equivalent of seeing your own children’s success: something that gives great pride and joy. I’ve been incredibly proud of my children, and I’m incredibly proud of Alycia: so thank you for doing such a great job, first as a student, now as a colleague. In closing, let’s consider the apposite words of the famous actor Rod Steiger, spoken when he lost the academy award that everyone expected he would win for his part in the 1964 film “The Pawnbroker.” He remarked: “Never take happiness, never take your talent, for granted. Never in any walk of life, take for granted your capabilities. Each minute and second of life is a challenge—so ... let this be a lesson to you. Happiness has to be earned and respected. Rewards must never be taken for granted.” Or, in other words, to quote actor and comedian Steve Martin: “I’ve had a good time tonight, considering I’m going to die someday.” Well, on that note, what more can I say but “congratu-
lations Alycia!” September 25, 2016
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