Cushman Foundation Award to Zheng Shouyi

Dr. James P. Kennett comes from a distinguished line of micropaleontologists from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand but has expanded his studies to include several far-flung locales. After finishing his studies in New Zealand in 1966, Jim became a research associate at the Allan Hancock Foundation at the University of Southern California from 1966–68. From there, he spent time at Florida State University (1968–70), University of Rhode Island (1970–87) and the University of California, Santa Barbara where he helped start the Marine Science Institute, acting as its first director (1987–1997). Jim received his Doctor of Science from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand in 1976 and is now a professor emeritus at UCSB (as of summer of 2006). Most of us know him from his extensive participation in the Ocean Drilling Program (DSDP/ODP) starting in 1973 [Co-Chief on DSDP Legs 29 and 90 to the Tasman Sea (Feb.–Apr. 1973), and South Pacific (Dec.–Jan. 1983), and ODP Legs 113, 146.2, and 189 to the Weddell Sea, (Dec.–March, 1987), Santa Barbara Basin (Sept–Nov., 1992)] and subsequent return to the Tasman Sea (early 2000). I doubt few (if any) foraminiferalogists have been co-chiefs on this many DSDP/ODP legs! It is a testament to both his scientific ability and willingness to work with others, a true ambassador for micropaleontology. Jim has many famous publications, but his book Marine Geology(1982) is still being used in many marine geology classes. Jim’s research is concerned with earth system history during the Cenozoic and is based on the analyses of the deep-sea sedimentary record (DSDP, ODP) and the uplifted marine record on land. His greatest interest is to help develop better understanding of past global changes; to evaluate the dynamic interactions that constantly occurred in the past between the several global spheres (lithosphere, oceansphere, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere). Jim’s greatest contribution, however, has been with students and colleagues. My own experience of Jim’s willingness to help and accommodate people was use of a beautiful office in 1996/97 while on my sabbatical. The office had a view of the Channel Islands from an outside deck great for coffee breaks! Congratulations to Jim and also to all of the students, technicians and family who have helped produce the huge body of work that has added so much to our knowledge of our modern and paleoenvironments of the oceans.

David B. Scott

Journal of Foraminiferal Research, January 2007, v. 37, no. 1, p. 1