Paul E. Potter: The ISGS Years

1. Paul E. Potter: The ISGS Years Don McKay, Director Illinois State Geological Survey Bill Shilts, Executive Director Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability February 21, 2011 Illinois State Geological Survey Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2. 1952 - 1961 Illinois State Geological Survey 1958 • 1952 – Assistant Geologist • 1953 – Associate Geologist Coal Division Geological Resources Section Jack Simon, Section Head Morris M. Leighton, Chief • 1957 –1958 NSF Post-doc • 1952 – 1961 Publications • 10 ISGS Circulars and Reports of Investigation • 8 single-author journal articles • 20 other articles • Dispersal centers; distribution, petrology and origin; multivariate statistics; variance of cross-bedding and trends; mineralogy; porosity and cement; structures, sand shape fabrics, and permeability; sampling design; and oil industry implications of sedimentary rocks and deposits of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Pleistocene of the Illinois Basin and beyond. • ISGS coauthors - E. Atherton, J. Baxter, M.E. Hopkins, H. Glass, L. Horberg, R. Mast, M. Ostrom, W. Prior, N. Shimp, R. Siever, J. Simon, D. Swann, and J. Witters

3. 1956 R.P. Sharp (Cal Tech) to H.B. (Bo) Willman (ISGS) Dear Bo, I have need for a good straightforward statement from a close friend, and I hope you will give me a hand. We have some interest in a young man currently on staff at the ISGS, specifically Paul Potter. We currently have no opening on our staff that would interest him, but I am trying to build up a file for future reference. Here are our questions: • How good is his background training in geology and the basic sciences? • How effective is he in making use of this training in his work? • Would he make a good and stimulating teacher? • Is he vigorous in the prosecution of his research? • Can he get it out in published form once the work is done? • Is he a chap who is likely to be outstanding in his chosen field a decade or more or less hence? As I said, we have no immediate plan to do anything, and even if we should, the Illinois Survey is a big, grown up organization that ought to be able to take care of itself. Sincerely yours, Bob

4. 1956 Dear Bob, Potter is exceptional in the field of sedimentation. His training in geology must have been very good, as he shows it in many ways. He makes effective use of his training in his publications and has considerable field experience. He has a fine background in the basic sciences and in addition the equivalent of a Master’s degree in statistics from the University of Illinois. Lee Horberg always said Potter is an amazing person, to which I agree. Personally, I like him. He is dynamic. He works 12 to 15 hours, 7 days a week and is almost always very congenial. He is a stimulating person to talk with, and I particularly like the fact that although he frequently comes to my office for a chat, he rarely stays for more than 5 minutes. He has shown considerable ability to complete projects and get them in publication form. He would be a stimulating and thorough teacher. If he likes it, he might become outstanding. He is very likely to convince you that one of his pet projects is one you should work on. In my opinion he will be recognized as a leader in the field of sedimentation in a few years. However, I am not trying to sell him to you! Sincerely yours, Bo

5. 1961 Dear Paul, Your years with the Survey have not only produced some fine scientific contributions, but you have also made important and imaginative contributions to work of other members of the staff. Your most recent studies of Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sandstones probably represent the most comprehensive study of its kind for any comparable area of the world. We are proud to have had you associated with the Survey staff. Sincerely yours, John John C. Frye Chief

6. 1961 1962 • Paul left ISGS in 1961 for a Guggenheim Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. • We at the ISGS have been blessed in the years since with many of those “5-minute visits” always including stimulating conversation. • We can say with the certainty of hindsight that Paul has, as Bo Willman predicted, been: “recognized as a leader in the field of sedimentation.”

7. 2011 “Potter Principle” of hiring/advancement • Excellent background training in geology and the basic sciences. • Effective in making use of this training in his/her work. • A good and stimulating colleague and researcher. • Can get it out in published form once the work is done. • A chap who is likely to be outstanding in his/her chosen field. • Someone who is vigorous in the prosecution of research. A pause in the “vigorous prosecution of research.”