This year, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) celebrates its 50th anniversary. In addition to celebrating 50 years of our Great Lakes science for society, we’re also celebrating Public Service Recognition Week from May 5-11.

NOAA GLERL’s workforce is made up of passionate and dedicated public servants, and many GLERL staff are recognized each year for their outstanding contributions to the world of Great Lakes science. Check out our recent awards and recognitions below!

GLERL Director Deborah Lee – credentialed as an Envision Sustainability Professional by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. She is the first NOAA employee to do so, and joins a group of more than 3400 engineering professionals nationwide with this credential. Read more

GLERL Deputy Director Jesse Feyen – American Meteorological Society’s Scientific and Technological Activities Commission (STAC) 2023 Committee on Coastal Environment Outstanding Service Award. Read more

Mark Rowe – Department of Commerce Bronze Award: For leadership in developing the Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification 2020-2029 Research Plan. The highest honor award granted by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere for superior performance.

James Kessler – NOAA Ocean Service Peer Recognition Award for outstanding performance while collaborating with the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration and the U.S. Coast Guard in 2022 and 2023. Read more

Scott Purdy – NOAA Silver Sherman Award for outstanding service as GLERL’s Human Resources Coordinator.

Steve Constant – Recognized for 15 years of Federal Service.

David Reid (retired) – Recognized for career achievements in reducing Great Lakes aquatic invasive species introductions. Read more

Lauren Fry – European Geological Society’s Jim Dooge Award for outstanding Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS) papers. Group award for the 2022 publication, The Great Lakes Runoff Intercomparison Project Phase 4: the Great Lakes (GRIP-GL)

Congratulations to all of these hardworking GLERL staff on these well-deserved recognitions!