Sometimes the right teacher can launch a student on an unexpected career path. Such was the case with David Wunsch, Delaware state geologist and director of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) at the University of Delaware, who has been studying and working in the geological field in various capacities for over 40 years.

Growing up on the Seneca Nation of Indians lands in the Appalachian region of Western New York State, Wunsch remembers being interested in science—specifically meteorology—at an early age. As a meteorology major at the State University of New York, Wunsch met a professor who would change his life forever.

“Meteorology was interesting, but I had to take geology because it was a requisite course for the meteorology major,” said Wunsch. “I just remember the geology professor being able to lecture and draw on the board, and as he spoke, he made his lectures come alive. He was that good of an artist and it really captured my imagination, and I said, ‘Well, I want to do that.’”

He switched his major and graduated with a degree in geology, becoming the first person in his family to earn a four-year college degree. He would go on to earn a master’s degree in geology from the University of Akron, Ohio, and a doctorate in geology, with an emphasis in hydrogeology, from the University of Kentucky.

Geology Awards

Wunsch’s illustrious career includes two recent prestigious awards for his contributions to the field of geology. He received the American Geosciences Institute’s (AGI) Ian Campbell Medal for Superlative Service to Geosciences, and the Henry P. Caulfield, Jr., Medal for Exemplary Contributions to National Water Policy from the American Water Resources Association. 

The Campbell Medal is given in recognition of outstanding performance and contributions in the geology profession. Candidates are measured against the distinguished career of Ian Campbell whose service to the profession touched virtually every facet of the geosciences.

In the AGI release announcing Wunsch’s award, the organization noted his decades-spanning government service, leadership in geosciences organizations, and his many contributions to geoscientific research and publications.

The Caulfield Medal is presented to an individual who has achieved the status of eminence in shaping national water policy and recognizes people whose record of achievement in setting, designing and/or implementing water resources policies at the national level is extraordinary.

Wunsch said the Caufield Medal was given in large part thanks to his role in helping establish the United States Geological Survey’s National Groundwater Monitoring Network, which is composed of a group of highly-select groundwater monitoring wells from federal, state and local groundwater monitoring networks across the nation, with their data made available in a standard format.

The effort to establish the network took about 10 years and Wunsch said he was deeply involved in creating the network, personally testifying before the United States Senate multiple times to help the network secure government approval and funding.

“It was a long process to get this important program established,” said Wunsch. “There is now a renewed interest in groundwater and society is finally catching on that we've got a major resource issue in this country. We foresaw it decades ago. Luckily, this program is starting to gear up at a time when it's going to be crucial and pay dividends for the nation to be able to monitor our groundwater across state boundaries as well as at an integrated, national scale.”