Dr. Frank Press is recognized internationally, not only for his pioneering contributions to our basic knowledge in geophysics and oceanography, but also in lunar and planetary sciences. His authoritative research in seismology has revealed the usefulness of long-period surface waves and free oscillation in discerning the earth's structure from the crust to its deep interior. Fortunately, he has also been adept in combining theory and practice by aiding in the development of instrumentation for recording geophysical events, not only on the earth's surface, but also on the moon and other planets.
His wide spectrum curiosity has just naturally carried him across discipline boundaries which has naturally resulted in his broad capability as a true earth scientist with geophysics as a most important component. In addition to authoring 160 scientific
papers, we are also impressed by his having co-authored a unique textbook now in its third edition, entitled EARTH, which provides a most interesting introduction to geology for beginner students as based on his geophysical studies.
Dr. Press' entire career, starting with his birth in Brooklyn, New York, in 1924, has been remarkably interesting and productive. After graduating in physics from the City College of New York, he then completed graduate studies in geophysics at Columbia
University in 1949, at which time he joined its faculty, and by 1952 he became a professor during which period of time he became interested also in oceanography and, consequently, happily involved with Dr. Maurice Ewing, Founder and Director of nearby Lamont Geological Observatory. This was when I had the pleasure of first meeting Dr. Press and, because of my early admiration for his capabilities as a scholar, I was not surprised when in 1955 he was appointed Professor of Geophysics at California Institute of Technology and then only two years later, Director of its Seismological Laboratory.
Having followed this interesting series of assignments, I was delighted in 1965 when he accepted an appointment to succeed retiring Professor Robert R. Shrock as Head of the M.I.T. Department of Geology and Geophysics. Dr. Press' creative and entrepreneurial talents then became completely visible as under his capable leadership the Department expanded into planetary sciences, oceanography, as well as interdisciplinary studies, while at the same time a joint graduate level program was launched with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. This broad spectrum of basic studies and related research resulted in a more appropriate name the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
It became increasingly likely that knowledge of Dr. Press' management skill and creative talents would soon extend beyond M.I.T. campus boundaries and so, not surprisingly, he was called to Washington, D.C. in 1977, first to serve as President Carter's Science Advisor and also Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and now as the newly appointed President of the National Academy of Sciences. During this same recent period of time he was appointed by M.I.T. to the prestigious position of Institute Professor, also to its Corporation and Chairman of the Advisory Committee to its Department of Physics.
By process of continual evolution, Dr. Press' notable reputation became known beyond our national boundaries and so it is not surprising that we find him also serving as a leader in international projects. Thus, he helped organize and give impetus to the International Geophysical Year, the first coordinated worldwide attempt to measure and map various geophysical phenomena a decade long effort that also involved international explorations of Antarctica and the oceans. Mt. Press in Antarctica is named for him. His leadership extended also to research efforts in earthquake prediction in the United States, as well as via international cooperation, in Japan, the Peoples Republic of China and the USSR.
Of special interest to SEG members is Dr. Press' ever-increasing appreciation of the merits of cooperation and cross-fertilization of ideas between academe and industry with the introduction of new measures to spur innovation by means of joint research ventures, which incidentally, help improve the scientific, as well as the practical bases for proposed government regulations.
As we would expect, Dr. Press is a member of several professional organizations in addition to the SEG. He is a past president of the Seismological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union. In addition to the National Academy of Sciences, he is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the French Academy of Sciences. He is also on the Boards of the Sloan Foundation and Rockefeller University.
Dr. Press' achievements have been recognized by his receiving twelve honorary degrees plus several professional honors, such as the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Arthur L. Day medal of the Geological Society and the Bowie Medal of the American Geophysical Union. Also, he has received Public Service Awards from the Department of the Interior as well as from NASA. So, it is not surprising that in a 1982 survey of American Leaders by the U.S. News and World Report Dr. Press was rated the most influential scientist.
In summary Dr. Press is indeed a uniquely important individual because of the impact of his scientific capability on the continued development of modern geophysics plus the direct influence of his personal leadership in national science planning and administration.In all of these endeavors he has been steadfastly supported by a wonderful wife the former Billie Kallick. They have two children and one grandchild. I feel sure that Dr. Maurice Ewing would join me in feeling very happy that Dr. Frank Press is being so
greatly honored by our Society.

Cecil H. Green