San Diego GIA Alum Receives International Recognition

Recipient donates monetary award to local educational program

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Dec. 28, 2011 – Thom Underwood, a San Diego resident and Graduate Gemologist of GIA (Gemological Institute of America), has been recognized with the 2012 Antonio C. Bonanno Award by the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) for his contributions to the international gem and jewelry industry. The award encourages ongoing research, education, and public outreach in the gemological field.

Underwood will be honored at a special ceremony during an AGA conference on Feb. 1, where he will receive $2,000. He plans to donate his winnings to the southeast San Diego-based Elementary Institute of Science (EIS), an organization that provides afterschool and summer programs focused on science to children in the community.

“As a volunteer docent with the GIA Junior Gemologist outreach program for many years, I enjoy seeing children’s eyes light up as they discover a passion for gems,” said Thom Underwood. “It is an honor to be able to share this opportunity with EIS, a strong and noteworthy organization that promotes science education to youth in my community.”

Underwood’s contribution will fund the transportation of 80 EIS students to GIA’s Carlsbad world headquarters to participate in the GIA Junior Gemologist Program™. The program is designed to teach gemology, mineralogy and geology in an inspiring, entertaining way. Students from grades four through twelve participate in an interactive scientific workshop that incorporates hands-on-training with tools of the trade.

For more information about GIA, visit www.gia.edu.