Message from the Chair

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR

It has been a privilege to serve as Chair in Geography for 11 of past 15 years. Together, we have placed Geography in an excellent position for continued development towards our goal of being the best! The chair position has provided excellent preparation for the next stage of my own career, which will be to serve as Divisional Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences. There, I hope to continue Janet Box- Steffensmeier’s spirited leadership and team building.

Our department has promoted excellence (in hiring, promotion, and advancement of faculty and students) and has nurtured faculty and departmental growth and diversity. We have also, through this newsletter and weekly updates communicated and celebrated a sense of community achievement by our staff, students, visitors and faculty. Our current record-setting pace for undergraduate majors is gratifying indeed.

We are nearing the completion of the second step in development of the Gary and Connie Sharpe Innovation Commons. The room is equipped in ways that support the aspirations and wishes of our undergraduates, and has facilities to practice video broadcast and allow for a clustering of effort around innovative ideas. We are truly appreciative of Gary and Connie’s generous support. The new phase will add space by incorporating further rooms. We have launched a grant program to support two student-run innovative projects, and we look forward to seeing these come to fruition.

I could not be more proud of the extensive efforts made by all our staff members (Diane Carducci, Caitlin Naber, Nancy Coscia, Jocelyn Nevel, Rebekah Sims, Suzanne Mikos) to take the lead in producing this great newsletter. Inside, you will find details on many of our initiatives and news of awards and recognitions. I hope you find these items of great interest.

Morton O’Kelly

Divisional Dean, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Professor, Department of Geography

I am pleased to be serving the department in this new capacity and am looking forward to the upcoming school year. I see my role as working for and most importantly with all members of the department. This year will be an important one. In this academic year, we will be examining our hiring needs in light of some staffing changes, preparing for the university’s overhaul of the undergraduate General Education curriculum, and reviewing our graduate curriculum requirements. Here’s to a happy and productive school year!

Darla Munroe Interim Chair Professor, Department of Geography