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Page 14 Department of Earth & Environment December 2011Roger Thomas elected GSA Fellowfrom The DiplomatRoger Thomas, the John Williamson Nevin Professorof GeosciencesRoger Thomas, the John Williamson Nevin Professor of Geosciencesat Franklin & Marshall, has been elected a Fellow ofthe Geological Society of America (GSA). Thomas receivedthe honor in recognition of his distinguished contributions tothe geosciences over nearly four decades of research, teachingand service to the profession.Thomas, a paleontologist who began teaching at F&M in 1975,was previously elected a Fellow of the Paleontological Society.Named the “most influential professor” in the natural sciencesby a recent graduating class at F&M, he has also contributedin numerous professional-service capacities through the years,including terms as secretary of the Paleontological Society andas chair of the History of Geology division of GSA.“The surprise came when I was nominated,” Thomas says.“In part this is recognition of my professional service work, Ibelieve. I’ve been involved with the GSA in a number of ways.It’s a very nice honor.”Thomas was nominated for the award by Stephen Rowland,professor of geology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, apaleontologist and long-time colleague. “In addition to being asuperb paleontologist and scholar, Roger has been a workhorse for professional organizations,” Rowland says.Thomas has conducted research on a wide variety of topics, from the growth and function of animal skeletons tothe evolution of arcoid bivalves. The intellectual theme of his work centers on patterns, processes and the evolutionof complexity in nature. He began to develop his research interests at Harvard University, where he earnedhis Ph.D.Thomas worked on his dissertation under the supervision of renowned paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould.“Steve was enormously influential for me,” Thomas says. “The opportunity to work with him was a tremendouslylucky break. He helped me develop my interest in evolutionary ideas and processes. Our work and ideasdiverged later on, but we kept in touch and he visited F&M on several occasions over the years.”Thomas’ research took him to the University of Tübingen in Germany, where he developed the concept of “skeletonspace.” This work addresses patterns of exploitation in potential skeletal designs, resulting in an articlepublished in Evolution. Subsequent application of this concept to study of the emergence of the earliest animalskeletons led to a paper, co-authored with two F&M students, that appeared in Science.Thomas is most proud of his work with Franklin & Marshall students. In 1982, he received the Lindback Awardfor Distinguished Teaching, the College’s highest award to a faculty member for teaching.“I bring enthusiasm to the classroom, and I try to transmit some of the many interesting and significant thingsI’ve learned in a long career,” Thomas says. “I chose to come to F&M instead of going to a large university forthat reason. I’ve always seen myself as a teacher.”Thomas joins Professor of Geosciences Dorothy Merritts as GSA Fellows from Franklin & Marshall.