Congratulations to Mark Leonard (B.S. '77, Astrophysics, M.A. '79, Geology), the 2024 recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award. Mark’s connections with the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly with the Department of Astronomy and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences are long and deep. He serves on the newly formed Astronomy Advisory Board and served earlier on the Advisory Board for Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. He also sits on the Executive Dean’s Advisory Board.
Mark served as the executive director of the Indiana University Geologic Field station near Bozeman, Montana, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Reynolds Field Station in New Mexico. Mark loves to share his passion for astronomy and geology with students and has his own “top-end” observatory in his home near Bloomington.
The award was presented by Dean Rick van Kooten at a special ceremony in Tucson, AZ, on Oct. 3, honoring Mark’s many contributions to IU’s College of Arts and Sciences, to Astronomy, and to Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. On Oct. 4, Mark is participating in a special celestial viewing opportunity at the 3.5-m WIYN telescope, hosted by the Astronomy Department and the College.
Mark, we wish you clear skies!
The College of Arts