Shepherd elected president of AMS

Congratulations to professor of geography Marshall Shepherd, who was recently voted president-elect of the American Meteorological Society:

Shepherd, who directs the university’s Atmospheric Sciences Program, will begin a one-year term as president-elect on Jan. 22 at the annual meeting of the society in New Orleans. In 2013, he will assume the presidency of the society, which was founded in 1919 and has a membership of more than 14,000 professionals, students and weather enthusiasts.

“The AMS is the oldest and most respected organization in the field of atmospheric science, and I’m honored to serve as its president-elect,” Shepherd said. “The costly and deadly weather events of the past year and the current discussions regarding climate highlight the critical role that weather and climate play in our society, and the AMS continues to be a sound and credible resource on these issues.”

Before coming to UGA and Franklin College, Shepherd worked as a research meteorologist at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. Very interesting story of how Shepherd's interest in meteorology developed out his success in a middle school science fair at the link. More reasons to support your local science fair(s).