UND hosts Geography Awareness Week and GIS Day activities

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

11-5-2012

Campus Unit

College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

Everyone is welcome to attend Geography Awareness Week and GIS Day activities

The University of North Dakota is hosting a series of activities and presentations associated with Geography Week (Sunday, Nov. 11 - Saturday, Nov. 17) and GIS Day (Wednesday, Nov. 14).

Schedule of activities/presentations

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Panel discussion on geography/GIS (geographic information systems) career opportunities. Several recent UND Geography alumni will make presentations and answer questions. The discussion will be at 3 p.m., in Swanson 16/18. Refreshments will be provided.

Thursday, Nov. 15

Panel discussion on geography internships. Several current UND Geography students will talk about their summer 2012 internships and answer questions about finding internships in geography. The discussion will be at 12:30 p.m., in Swanson 16/18. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday, Nov. 16

*Noon, Memorial Union Lecture Bowl

Brian Walters, director of economic development for the City of Winter Springs, FL, and a Distinguished Alumnus of the UND Department of Geography, will present "The Politics and Economics of Economic Development."

*5:30 p.m., Eagle's Crest Grill, King's Walk Golf Course, 5301 S. Columbia Rd., Grand Forks

Annual GTU/Alumni Banquet. After supper, Brian Walters will present "Geography as a Pathway to Economic Development."

Please reserve your spot at the Geography Banquet by Friday, Nov. 9. You should see Cindy Purpur in the Geography office to get your name on the list and to pay your $20 per person. Please make checks out to GTU.

About Geography Action Week

Geography Awareness Week (GAWeek), organized by National Geographic Education and celebrated every third week of November, is an awareness program focused on highlighting the importance of geo-literacy and geo-education. A new theme for each year is announced in midsummer accompanied by related online resources and activities, which are then available year-round.

This year's Geography Awareness Week theme explores the idea that we are all are connected to the rest of the world through the decisions we make on a daily basis, including what foods we eat and the things we buy.

About GIS Day

GIS Day provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. The first formal GIS Day took place in 1999.ESRI (a pioneering GIS software company) president and co-founder Jack Dangermond credits Ralph Nader with being the person who inspired the creation of GIS Day. He considered GIS Day a good initiative for people to learn about geography and the uses of GIS. He wanted GIS Day to be a grassroots effort and open to everyone to participate.

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