UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State professor Susan Brantley is one of 11 inductees named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania for 2024. She was recognized Sept. 25 at the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania’s annual luncheon held in the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg.
“Since its inception, the Distinguished Daughters has been honoring extraordinary women for their outstanding service and contributions to our commonwealth,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “The women we recognize bring an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge, are leaders in their respective fields, and have showcased extraordinary professionalism in all aspects of their careers. The commonwealth is proud to claim each of the Distinguished Daughters as our own, as each of their stories reflect Pennsylvania’s rich past and herald the promise of a bright future through collaborative service.”
Brantley is an Evan Pugh University Professor and Barnes Professor of Geosciences. She also served as director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute until 2022. She is a leading expert in environmental geochemistry research and has demonstrated great innovation and leadership in developing new educational and research initiatives at Penn State.
“Sue is a truly visionary scientist whose remarkable career has made profound contributions to the field of environmental geochemistry on an international scale but also in the state,” said Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “Our understanding of Earth’s critical zone, that part that supports life, has been significantly advanced through her research and scientific leadership.”
Brantley, who joined the Penn State faculty in 1986, received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry, her master’s degree in geological and geophysical sciences, and her doctorate in geological and geophysical sciences, all from Princeton University. She is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America, the Geochemical Society, the European Association of Geochemistry and the International Association of GeoChemistry. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. She also was awarded the Arthur L. Day Medal from the Geological Society of America and the Wollaston Medal from the Geological Society of London.
Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania was organized in 1949 to honor women who have given distinguished service through their careers to their communities, the commonwealth and the nation. Since its founding, a total of 566 extraordinary women of Pennsylvania have been recognized for their professional and volunteer accomplishments.