Gerald R. Fitzgerald travel grant

Award Announcement from SPNHC

Award  Announcement
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections

Gerald R. Fitzgerald, collections care professional and past
President (1992-1994) and  founding member of the Society for the
Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) was honored at
the Society's annual meeting in June 2010 in  Ottawa, Ontario by the
naming of the Fitzgerald Travel Grant. The travel grant program
permits emerging collections care and conservation professionals to
participate in the Society's meetings.

Mr. Fitzgerald worked as a student for the Geological Survey of
Canada and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (NMNS). In 1970,
he joined the palaeontology staff of the NMNS, later renamed the
Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN)and became the first Director of the
newly created Collections Division in 1991. During his career he
produced 23 publications, and presented numerous talks and
professional training workshops.

Dedicated to the highest standard of care for the national
collection of natural history objects, he assisted his staff in
elevating their skills and he established a conservation unit. As
well as encouraging others, Jerry worked to improve his own skills
and was accredited by the Canadian Association of Professional
Conservators in 1989 and served as its President from 1996 to 2000.

Jerry had a knack for teaching and a deft touch in promoting the
professionalism of his colleagues. He helped raise awareness in
Paleontology about sound conservation practice and the importance of
using the same ethics in preparation that are expected from
conservators in other fields.

The Society award recognizes Jerry's many contributions to the field
of collections care and his pivotal role in the origins of SPNHC.

The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
(SPNHC) is an international multidisciplinary organization of
professionals from 24 countries dedicated to the care of objects
derived from the natural world. Their mission is: "Improving the
preservation, conservation and management of natural history
collections to ensure their continuing value to society."

Catharine Hawks
Conservator
2419 Barbour Road
Falls Church VA 22043-3026 USA
703-876-9272 (phone/fax)
Mobile: 703-200-4370


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:8
                   Distributed: Sunday, July 11, 2010
                        Message Id: cdl-24-8-008
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