Announcing the 2013-2014 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer
Gregory (Greg) L. Hempen, PhD, PE, RG, has been named the
2013-2014 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Applied Geology. The lectureship is awarded jointly by the Environmental and Engineering Geology Division (EEGD) of
the Geological Society of America [GSA (awarded at the Denver Annual Meeting,
29 OCT 2013)] and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
[AEG (awarded at the Seattle Annual Meeting, 11 SEP 2013)]. The purpose of the lectureship is to promote
student awareness of Applied Geology.
The Jahns’ Lectureship has been jointly awarded annually since
1988.
Please consider helping Greg to contact potentially interested University
Geology (Environmental, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering) Departments
and professional groups for the topic presentations noted below. (Abstracts are be available online via AEG
& GSA or from Greg.) Greg is
interested in visiting several nearby Geology Departments during a week’s
regional travels for about twelve separate weekly trips during academic
sessions through October 2014. Please
contact Greg (Greg.Hempen@URS.com or
314-743-4136) to discuss a presentation for your organization.
Hello??? Are you ready for the Big One? The presentation discusses the application of
recent research to the paleoseismic and historic events of the New Madrid
Seismic Zone. The talk considers some
actions to inform the public of appropriate preparedness in that region.
Kaboom! (or whoosh?) The talk considers the application of
mitigation research at unusual blasting sites, such as a Natural Gas pipeline
near a quarry, removal of the Embrey Dam (Rappahannock River near
Fredericksburg, VA), and blasting of submerged, or near waterside,
structures.
What’s my line? Site assessment! The presentation on the applied geologist’s
most important duty, site assessment, develops how geophysics may advance the
information at a site and reduce the risk of unanticipated site
conditions.
You’re going to drink THAT water?! The talk weighs the challenges of reducing
Groundwater Impacts at Old, Low-level Radioactive Waste Sites. The issues are not only the problem of
assessing waste transit, but also convincing the public of what is known and
unknown, and of a detailed, proper remediation.
Greg is a Geophysicist / Geological Engineer, consulting for
URS Corporation’s St. Louis Office.
During his entire career, Greg has held only one title, Geophysicist. He specializes in all types of vibration
mitigation from earthquakes, blasting and pile driving, and recommending
appropriate geophysical studies for complex sites. His 40+-year career includes a long tenure
at, and retirement from, the St. Louis District, Corps of Engineers.
Greg has conducted business for all levels of government,
federal, state and local. He had worked
closely with consulting firms managing studies on federal projects. He now works in the private sector, but
continues studies for federal and state offices. His duties have included: site assessment of
dam sites, regional earthquake studies for federal dam sites, probabilistic and
deterministic appraisal of potential earthquake impacts, varied geophysical
studies for different projects’ concerns (from archeological to environmental
transport to groundwater to rock weaknesses), blast mitigation while
effectively achieving the blasting goal, environmental mitigation, and the
dreaded – “other duties, as assigned.”
Greg received a B.S. in Geophysical Engineering from St.
Louis University, a M.S. in Geo-Engineering from the University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis-St. Paul, and a Ph.D. in Geological Engineering from the University
of Missouri - Rolla (now Missouri University of Science & Technology). He is
a Registered Professional Engineer in Missouri and Registered
Professional Geologist in Arkansas and Missouri.
Greg has authored a variety of publications, which share the
understanding of procedures instead of keeping proprietary control of
methodologies. Greg has been an adjunct
professor at all the engineering universities in the St. Louis area. He has taught Environmental Science classes
and Geotechnical Engineering courses.
His longest running class was offered once a year, “Seismology and
Seismic Design” (CE 530A), Civil Engineering Department, Washington University
of St. Louis, 1989 to 2004. Greg had
taught at several Corps of Engineers’ professional training courses.
Several causes have gained Greg’s attention over the years. He has long been active with AEG (President,
1989-1990), and GSA’s EEGD. He had a
minor role in developing the administration of the Jahns’ Lectureship. He is also active with several other
professional organizations. Greg has
been involved with the pursuit of several important public issues, including
Geologists’ Registration, public disaster preparedness, and building-code
adoption. He has served on state
commissions, and is presently serving on two Missouri State organizations.
Some of the accolades that Greg has received
are: the Otto Nuttli Award from the St. Louis Section of the American
Society of Civil Engineers, October 2011; a Professional (Honorary) Degree from
Missouri University of Science & Technology, December 2010; award with the
Army and Corps team for the Embrey Dam removal, May 2004; Johnston Service Award from AEG, October
2002; Achievement Medal for Civil Service, December 1998; and, 1991 Regional
Outstanding Engineer from the Missouri River Region of the Society of American
Military Engineers.
