A Legacy for Excellence

The late John A. and Katherine G. Jackson’s momentous bequest in 2002 of endowments and royalty assets presently valued at $300 million laid the foundation for the Jackson School and established an enduring legacy for excellence.

Jackson, a geology alumnus who made his early fortune in oil and gas, said he was not a philanthropist but an investor. He directed his investment in the university toward “the subjects of geology; geophysics; energy, mineral and water resources; as well as the broad areas of the earth sciences, including the Earth’s environment.”

Jackson made his bequest to the Geology Foundation. Since its founding in 1953, the Foundation has served the school in a remarkable manner while remaining true to its original stated purpose—to foster and to promote the growth, progress, and development of geological education, research, and graduate study.

The Geology Foundation Advisory Council, of which Jackson was an honorary life member, plays a vital role in the leadership of the school. Members include some of the world’s preeminent geoscience professionals and leaders. They meet twice a year to advise school leadership, marshal resources, and oversee long-term strategy.

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