The Walter Awards
About the Awards
Recognizing the people who make the Jackson School exceptional
The Jackson School of Geosciences Walter Awards recognize top talent among the school’s faculty, researchers, and staff. These awards are the school’s most prestigious internal awards and were established through an endowment created by Joseph C. Walter Jr., President of Houston Oil and Minerals Corporation, in 1977. Award winners receive a trophy and a monetary prize.
This Year’s Ceremony
Awards will be announced during an Awards Ceremony for Jackson School Faculty and Staff on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm in the JGB Holland Family Student Center. This year in 2026 we will be revamping the event and will be hosting in conjunction with the Geology Foundation Advisory Council Meeting. Advisory Council Members will be joining us for the first time to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and talent of the School’s faculty and staff.
Date & Time: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: JGB Holland Family Student Center
Jackson School of Geosciences Award Nominations
Deadline: Nominations accepted through close of business, Friday, October 2, 2026
- All members of the Jackson School may submit a nomination
- One nomination per person, per award. You are welcome to nominate different people for different awards.
- Letters of support or CVs are no longer required or accepted
View the 2004 – 2025 Jackson School Award Recipients
The Six Awards
A tradition dating back nearly five decades
Joseph C. Walter Jr. Excellence Award
Presented annually to a Jackson School faculty, researcher, or staff member in recognition of outstanding service and special contributions to teaching and research programs. No specific guidelines are set for nominations other than demonstrated excellence in one or any combination of the areas of the School – research, teaching, service, professional activity, and administration.
Cash award: $2,500
Jackson School Community Partnership Award
Recognizes a scientist, faculty or staff member who has displayed exceptional commitment to fostering a professional, respectful, and welcoming environment within the Jackson School community.
Cash award: $2,000
Jackson School Outstanding Educator Award
Recognizes accomplishments in any area that promotes the future success of students, staff, or other faculty and scientists through teaching, mentoring, or supervision of undergraduate or graduate research.
Cash award: $2,000
Jackson School Outstanding Research Award
Recognizes research accomplishments of an individual or team of geoscientists in the Jackson School of Geosciences.
Cash award: $2,000
Jackson School Outstanding Service Award
Recognizes any member of the school for outstanding service to a unit, the Jackson School, The University of Texas at Austin, or the geosciences profession.
Cash award: $2,000
Jackson School Staff Excellence Award
Recognizes classified staff (administrative, technical, and support) who have performed in an exemplary fashion, encouraging others to aspire to superior performance.
Cash award: $2,000
Contact
For additional information related to this event, please contact Mayda Perez at mayda@jsg.utexas.edu.