Distinguished Alumni 2017 - Dr. Frederick J. Sarg

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of our alumni.

The award highlights the diversity and quality of the contributions our alumni have made to the enrichment of our profession.

The department is especially pleased to award Dr. Rick Sarg with the 2017 Department of Geology and Environmental Science Distinguished Alumni Award. As one of the most accomplished researchers in his field, we are honored to count him among our most distinguished graduates. 

Dr. Sarg earned his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Geology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1969 and 1971, respectively. He completed a PhD in Carbonate Sedimentology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1976.  Currently, Dr. Sarg is a Research Professor at the Colorado Energy Research Institute at the Colorado School of Mines focusing on the teaching and research program in reservoir characterization of carbonate systems.

Prior to this role, Dr. Sarg was a lead researcher and scientist in Dallas, Texas. He served as a Senior Advisor and Instructor in Stratigraphy and Carbonates at William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc. He held the positions of Lead Stratigraphy Coordinator for ExxonMobil Upstream Companies; Scientist with Upstream Strategic Research Center, Mobil Technology Company; and Associate Research Advisor for Mobil E&P Technical Center. Dr. Sarg was also an independent consulting geologist from 1990-1992. From 1976-1990, Dr. Sarg held various positions with Exxon, including Exploration Supervisor, Research Supervisor, and roles with the Stratigraphic Research Group.

He has been widely recognized for his exceptional accomplishments. Most notably, he received the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Robert B. Berg Outstanding Research Award in 2013 which recognized achievement in petroleum geoscience research.  Dr. Sarg is an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the International Association of Sedimentologists.  He was past president of the Society for Sedimentary Geology from 2003-2005 and currently serves as the president of their foundation.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to Pitt, with his wife Anne, Dr. Sarg established the Dr. J. Frederick and Ann Sarg Student Research Fund in our department to support undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing hands-on research projects and internships in geosciences with a preference for such projects related to the development of energy resources.

For Dr. Sarg's outstanding professional accomplishments, and loyal support of the University of Pittsburgh and Department of Geology and Environmental Science, it was our honor to present the Distinguished Alumni Award to him.

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Distinguished Alumni - Mr. William Zargorski

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of our alumni.  The award highlights the diversity and quality of the contributions our alumni have made to the enrichment of our profession. The department is especially pleased to award Mr. William Zagorski with the 2018 Department of Geology and Environmental Science Distinguished Alumni Award. Known as,  "the Father of the Marcellus Shale", we are honored to count him among our most distinguished graduates.  He is considered “the Father of the Marcellus Shale” for his initial work in applying hydraulic fracturing to the Marcellus, and he has worked in many other basins as well.  He was given this name by the Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists in 2009.   Zagorski received both his BS (1957) and MS (1979) in geology from Pitt while working under Dr. Tom Anderson. He currently serves as Vice President - Geology at Range Resources - Appalachia LLC in Southpointe, PA

Junior Distinguished Alumni - Mr. Samir Lakhani

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science Junior Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of our younger alumni.  The award highlights the diversity and quality of the contributions our younger alumni have made to the enrichment of our profession. The department is especially pleased to award Mr. Samir Lakhani with the 1st annual 2019 Department of Geology and Environmental Science Junior Distinguished Alumni Award.

Samir Lakhani is a social entrepreneur dedicated to restoring health and dignity to developing countries. Before founding Eco-Soap Bank in 2014, Samir was deeply involved in aquaculture and nutrition projects in northern Cambodian villages. He has also developed solar lighting solution projects in Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Through his six years of nonprofit work in the areas of nutrition, water accessibility, and sanitation/hygiene, he has witnessed firsthand how delivering key products like soap transform the health and well-being of impoverished communities.  He is the founder and executive director of Eco-Soap Bank.  Samir received a CNN Heroes Award for Eco-Soap Bank in 2017 and a Unilever Young Entrepreneurs award in 2018.