Mississippi State Scholar Is the First Woman to Receive a Prestigious Award in the Geosciences

Brenda Kirkland, associate professor of geosciences at Mississippi State University, received the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award at the annual convention of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, held recently in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Kirkland is the first woman to receive the award.

The award is given to a professional “who has significantly contributed to geological education and emphasizes the recipient’s success in teaching, guiding student research, and other university and professional research and involvement.”

“This is an amazing honor and speaks to Dr. Kirkland’s unfailing commitment to teaching excellence,” said Bill Cooke, chair of the department of geosciences at Mississippi State University.

Dr. Kirkland joined the faculty at Mississippi State in 2000. Earlier she taught at the University of Texas. Dr. Kirkland holds bachelor’s degree in Germanic languages and geological sciences from the University of Texas. She holds a master’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in geology and geophysics from Louisiana State University.