[1] The lecture series named after him in Woods Hole reflects his career-long commitment to increasing diversity in environmental and fisheries sciences.

After completing his military service in 1971, Jearld had several offers to attend doctoral programs but chose to return to Oklahoma State University–Stillwater for a PhD, working with his advisor, Rudy Miller.

[4] During this time, he took advantage of short-term research opportunities at different locations across the country, including studies of anchovy in San Francisco Bay in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and the University of California.

[3] Jearld worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) from 1978 until his retirement in 2016.

[5] Jearld contributed to several studies on techniques for age determination including optical Fourier transform analysis of fish scales and definition of growth lines from microstructure of ocean quahog shells.

[6] In his role as a biologist and administrator, Jearld has provided NOAA with leadership on national and international affairs in South Africa.