2009 Morrough P. O’Brien Award

THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION

PROUDLY PRESENTS THE 2009 MORROUGH P. O’BRIEN AWARD
TO

DR. CHARLES FINKL

    WHEREAS, the Morrough P. O’Brien award honors Dr. Finkl’s ongoing dedication to coastal research, beach preservation and the dissemination of coastal information: and
    WHEREAS, Dr. Finkl has an outstanding record in achieving the objectives and ideals of ASBPA: and
    WHEREAS, Dr. Finkl has made numerous contributions in the fields of coastal science, engineering and management: and
    WHEREAS, Dr. Finkl founded the Coastal Education & Research Foundation, which is the lead agency for the biannual International Coastal Symposium: and
    WHEREAS, in 1984, Dr. Finkl created the Journal of Coastal Research, which is arguably the leading U.S. and international multidisciplinary journal linking coastal science, engineering and management: and
    WHEREAS, Dr. Finkl was a professor of budding coastal scientists, and continues as a research and adjunct professor with the International Hurricane Research Center at Florida Atlantic University: and
    WHEREAS, Dr. Finkl has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and 75 chapters in books and encyclopedias, focusing on a variety of subjects important to the preservation and protection of coastal areas: and
    WHEREAS, in the professional realm, Dr. Finkl serves as a Principal Marine Geologist for a coastal engineering firm and holds a number of professional registrations, memberships, and certifications:
    NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that for these and other contributions too numerous to name, Dr. Charles Finkl has served to further the mission and ideals of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. As president of the ASBPA, on this 15th day of October, 2009, it is my honor to present Dr. Charles Finkl with the Morrough P. O’Brien Award for this estimable body of achievements.

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) honored individuals and shoreline projects at a special banquet on Oct. 15 on St. Petersburg Beach, FL as part of its 2009 National Coastal Conference, "Integrating Coastal Science and Policy."

Morrough P. O’Brien Award
The organization presented its highest honor for lifetime achievement – the Morrough P. O’Brien Award – to Charles Finkl, Ph.D. Dr. Finkl is an internationally respected coastal scientist who has been one of the pioneers of coastal research not only through his life’s work, but also through his creation of the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) in 1984. The JCR, published through the Coastal Educational & Research Foundation (CERF; also founded by Dr. Finkl) has grown to become the leading international, multi-disciplinary journal linking coastal science, management, and engineering. Dr. Finkl was nominated for this award by 14 of his peers, whom represented leaders and experts in coastal science, engineering, and management from five different countries.

“This award honors Charlie’s ongoing dedication to coastal research and the dissemination of coastal information,” said Harry Simmons, ASBPA president and mayor of Caswell Beach, N.C. “For an organization like ours, which bases its policy positions on science, having more people like Charlie would do us a world of good.”