Michael Campana, known affectionately as ‘Aquadoc’,
dedicated his life to the study and stewardship of water resources. He was Professor Emeritus of Hydrogeology and Water Resources Management at Oregon State University and Professor Emeritus of Hydrogeology at the University of New Mexico. He inspired students and colleagues with his passion for hydrology and his commitment to sustainable water management
Michael’s research interests included transboundary groundwater resources; integrated and sustainable water resources management; water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in developing regions; regional hydrogeology; and science-policy interface. Throughout his career, he was a prolific author, a sought-after speaker, and a mentor to many in the field.
His work extended beyond academia, influencing water policy and management practices globally. In recent years, he published the popular blog, ‘WaterWired’, which was described as all things freshwater: news, comment, publications, and analysis. His contributions to the understanding of groundwater hydrology and his advocacy for integrated water resources management have left an enduring mark on the discipline.
Michael was highly active in the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), where he made significant contributions to the field of hydrogeology on an international scale. His legacy within IAH continues to inspire professionals dedicated to the wise use and protection of groundwater resources
He served on the AWRA Board and was President in 2011. He was the AWRA Technical Director for eight years, Editor-in-Chief for the IMPACT Magazine. He served as Conference Chair and Conference Technical Director for more than 15 national and international AWRA Conferences.
He served on the NGWA Board of Directors from 2002-2005 and the NGWA Foundation Board of Directors from 2014-2017. He was a part of numerous committees, including the Government Affairs Committee, the Membership Standing Committee and the Darcy Lecture Series Task Force. He was an associate editor for NGWA’s technical journal, ‘Groundwater’, and was the guest editor for a special focus issue on transboundary groundwater in 2005.
Michael was also a highly respected member of the Universities Council on Water Resources, where he served on the Board of Directors and contributed significantly to the organisation’s mission. He also served on the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership.
Michael received many awards and honours in his lifetime. He received the ‘International Service Award’ from the U.S. Chapter of IAH for ‘Outstanding International Contributions in Hydrogeology’, and the NGWA’s ‘Keith E. Anderson Award’, for outstanding contributions to NGWA. He received the President’s Award for Excellence from AWRA, AWRA’s Fellows Award and the Icko Iben Award. In 2022, AWRA created a new award in his name: The ‘Michael E. Campana Emeritus Award’, which confers use of the title ‘AWRA Director Emeritus’ on the recipient. Michael was the first AWRA Director Emeritus.
Donations in memory of Michael Campana can be made to the Mary Frances and Michael Campana Fund at the Oregon State University (OSU) Foundation. This fund supports student scholarships and other educational opportunities in the Water Resources Graduate Program at OSU. Michael coined the term “hydrophilanthropy” to describe his philanthropic efforts to improve water resources in developing countries. Contributions can also be made to the Ann Campana Judge Foundation, dedicated to the memory of his sister Ann Campana Judge, who was killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Foundation supports water and sanitation related projects in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua.
This tribute acknowledges contributions from the many tributes that have been published for Michael, including the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the Oregon State University (OSU)
