History: The fund was established in 1996 following a major donation to the University of South Alabama by the Desk and Derrick Club, a petroleum geology affiliated organization. The cash award is usually $500.00 and is made to the student(s) majoring in geology with the highest academic standing in geology planning a career or graduate study in petroleum geology.

Past Recipients of the Desk and Derrick Award

1996 Joe Namlick	1997 Brent Foshee	1998 Laura Quinn
1999 Ricky Schaeffer	2000 Chris McGowan	2001 Not Awarded
2002 Elaine Robinson	2003 Emily Browning, Stephanie Capello	2004 Melissa Girard
2005 Meghan Brenner	2006 Petra Webb, Jesi Wiggins	2007 Rachel Carson, Sarah Sandy

Responsible Parties: Students are nominated for this award by Geology faculty who teach GY 344 and GY 345, courses relevant to the petroleum industry (Haywick, Clark); however, students may also nominate themselves.  The Desk and Derrick Award is administered by Dr. Doug Haywick, Scholarships Co-ordinator in the Department of Earth Sciences.