Contact: Kay F. Jones
Darrel W. Schmitz
A Mississippi State geologist is the new leader of a national organization that oversees state professional licensing boards.
Darrel W. Schmitz, a professor in the geosciences department, recently began a one-year term as president of the national Association of State Boards of Geology. The organization serves as the liaison between individual state licensing boards and the general public.
After his term has ended, the former Eupora resident will continue for another year as a member of ASBOG's executive committee.
An MSU faculty member since 1990, Schmitz is active in a number of other state, regional and national geological organizations. Several years ago, he was appointed to the first Mississippi Board of Registered Geologists and later served as its president. He also is a former president of the Mississippi section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.
Additionally, he is a member of the Association of Engineering Geologists, Geological Society of America and the National Ground Water Association's Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers. In the Association of Engineering Geologists, he has received two presidential awards.
Schmitz holds a 1980 bachelor's degree in geology from MSU, a 1985 master's in engineering science/geology from the University of Mississippi and a 1991 doctorate in geology from Texas A&M University.