The Richard H. Jahns Distinguished

             Lecturer in Engineering Geology Award

                                   Recipient

 

     The Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Engineering Geology Award was established in 1988 by the Association of Engineering Geologists in co-sponsorship with the Engineering Geology Division of the Geological Society of America. The purpose is to provide funding annually for a distinguished engineering geologist to present a lecture at a number of academic institutions to increase awareness of students about careers in engineering geology. The Distinguished Lectureship is in honor of Richard H. Jahns (1915-1983), an engineering geologist who had a diverse and distinguished career in academia, consulting, and government. Perry H. Rahn was designated as the 2002 recipient of this award.

 

     Perry H. Rahn was born in 1936 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1959 he received a BS in civil engineering and a BA in geology from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania.  From 1959 to 1961 he was employed as an engineering geologist by the California Department of Water Resources in Oroville, California.  In 1965 he received a PhD in geology from The Pennsylvania State University.  From 1965 to 1968 he was an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut. In 1968 he began teaching at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota, becoming a full professor in 1979.  In 1997 he retired and became a professor emeritus.  Dr. Rahn is a Professional Engineer and is a member of the various professional organizations including the Geological Society of America, the Association of Engineering Geologists, The American Institute of Professional Geologists, and the National Society of Professional Engineers.  His research and publications deal with engineering geology, hydrogeology, and geomorphology.  He is the author of  “Engineering Geology, an Environmental Approach”.  For this book he received the Claire P. Holdredge award by the Association of Engineering Geologists in 1987, and the E.B. Burwell award by the Engineering Geology Division of the Geological Association of America in 1990.

 

      Dr. Rahn will be available for two talks during 2002. They have a common theme of showing the importance of geology to engineering works.  His first talk is titled “Flood Hazards”. This talk covers current techniques of flood evaluation and the Federal Emergency Management Administration programs now in effect.  Examples of flooding in the United States are given, and the usefulness of geomorphology and detailed field mapping to flood hazard evaluation are described. Dams have been the traditional method of reducing floods, and many engineering geologists are employed in the construction of dams.  Flood plain management is a more environmentally acceptable method of reducing flood hazards.

 

      The second talk is titled “Transmissivity Anisotropy”. This talk emphasizes that geologic mapping and an understanding of geology are required to effectively study ground water. Sound geologic input is the limiting factor in most ground water models.

Directional permeability is shown to have effects on ground-water pumping and contaminant transport.  Surficial and bedrock aquifers in South Dakota and Connecticut are used as examples.

 

       To arrange for a talk at your university or professional group, contact Perry H. Rahn directly.  Dr. Rahn can be reached through the Department of Geology & Geological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City, SD, 57701,  (605) 394-2461, FAX (605) 394-6703, perry.rahn@sdsmt.edu.