I have known Gerard R. Case for only twelve among his thirty-odd years of work in vertebrate paleontology, but from that relatively limited vantage point, I'd say this year's awardee is a phenomenon, in most of the literal meanings of that word. Jerry is simultaneously an amateur and the prime North American authority on Mesozoic and Paleogene shark taxonomy. That fact says much about Jerry's energies and dedication, and perhaps a bit about the state of our science; nevertheless, I am very pleased that The Paleontological Society has granted the award to him this year for many reasons, not the least of which is that Jerry will now stop asking me whether or not “they're going to give him the award while he's still alive.”