November 11-17, 2018

The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences invite you to an Evening with
CNN’s Bill Weir

To listen to Dr. Alan Arbogast, Chairperson of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Science speak to Kirk Heinze, MSU Today, WKAR click here, http://geo.msu.edu/interview/8894/

Host and Executive producer of the CNN’s The Wonder List with Bill Weir

Bill Weir is a rare combination of brilliant reporter and passionate adventure enthusiast. Known for his front-line reporting and constant exploration of the unknown, Weir is the host and executive producer of CNN’s The Wonder List with Bill Weir, which takes him around the world in search of unique people, places, cultures, and creatures on the brink of seismic change. With an infectious personality and zest for life, Weir’s talks are eye-opening and inspiring. Weir shares lessons learned from his travels and insight gleaned from developing nations and the Western world alike—like why Bhutan is the happiest nation on Earth, or why marriage rates are falling in Iceland—coupled with thrilling stories and practical tips for leading a well-lived life. Weir’s live shots have come from atop the Golden Gate Bridge and below the waters of the Great Barrier Reef while his signature adventure reporting includes jumps from hot air balloons, hikes deep into the Amazon, and one fun night spent lashed to the side of Yosemite’s El Capitan.

A former co-anchor of Nightline, Weir’s audiences have traveled across the globe with him before: He anchored the 2012 Summer Olympic coverage for ABC from London, was among the first reporters in the floodwaters of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, reported from Japan’s tsunami zone after the nuclear crisis of 2011, brought unprecedented reporting from inside Apple’s Chinese factories, led network coverage from Iraq and Afghanistan, and was the first American to broadcast live from Tibet. Weir joined CNN in November 2013 as anchor and reporter after a decade of distinctive broadcast journalism at ABC News. In early 2015, The Wonder List with Bill Weir debuted on CNN. A primetime Original Series, it is shot by acclaimed filmmaker Philip Bloom. Previously, after helping to launch the weekend edition of Good Morning America in 2004, Weir became co-anchor of Nightline in 2010 while his reporting was featured on World News with Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America, 20/20 and his own Yahoo! News digital series, This Could Be Big. In his network career, Weir journeyed to more than 50 nations and all 50 states, covering breaking news and uncovering global trends. He has interviewed heads of state and industry along with stars of stage and screen. As a writer and anchor, Weir produced several special hours for ABC prime time on topics ranging from religion to brain science to the business of mail-order brides and the rise and fall of General Motors.

Before joining ABC News, Weir wrote and hosted projects for the FX and USA Networks and was an anchor/reporter in Los Angeles, Chicago, Green Bay and Austin, MN. He currently lives in New York.

Additional Geography Awareness Week Events

Monday, November 12, 2018

TripleG is hosting Trivia Night at the Tin Can in East Lansing on
Room reserved starting at 7PM and trivia starts around 7:30PM.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
From 2-3 p.m. in Room 126, Geography Building

Lightning Workshop Hosted by, Brad Peter bpeter@msu.edu

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Please Join us for GIS Day November 14, 2018

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 – GIS Day!

Education Manager for Esri, Joseph Kerski, Ph.D.

Teaching class for GEO 221, GEO286, GEO 324 and GEO 837

Geography Clubs at the MSU Union

Mr. Aaron Kamoske will take his oral comprehensive examination on Friday, November 16, 2018 starting at 9:30 am in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.

Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Kyla Dahlin (Chair)
Ashton Shortridge
David Rothstein (Forestry)
Scott Stark (Forestry)

Ms. Amanda Kreuze will take her oral comprehensive examination on Friday, November 2, 2018 starting at 10:00 am in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.

Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Sue Grady (Chair)
Kyla Dahlin
Igor Vojnovic
Jade Mitchell-Davis (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering)

Ms. Cheyenne Lei will take her oral comprehensive examination on Friday, November 9, 2018, starting at 8:30 am in Rm. A90 Plant and Soil Sciences Building, PSSB.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  

Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Jiquan Chen (Chair)
Lifeng Luo
Joseph P. Messina
G. Philip Robertson (Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences)

Please Join Us!
Friday, November 2, 2018, from 2-3 pm; Room C20 Snyder Hall
Triple-G Colloquium is Presenting
Dr. Thomas Huntington

A research hydrologist at USGS. Dr. Thomas Huntington is well known for his research on hydrologic responses to climate change, and the implications of intensification for climatology, agriculture, and forestry.

Mr. B.J. Baule will take his oral comprehensive examination on Monday, October 29, 2018, starting at 10:00 am in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.
Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Jeffrey Andresen (Chair)
Julie Winkler
Bruno Basso (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Amor Ines (Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences)

Dr. Arnon Karnieli and Dr. Nurit Agam, professors from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Dr. Arnon Karnieli is a renowned professor in Remote Sensing, and helps oversee the Vegetation and Environmental New Micro Spacecraft (VENµS) satellite, launched in August 2017. Dr. Agam analyzes the exchange of heat and water within arid and semi-arid regions, and their role in the Hydrologic Cycle.

Mr. Kyle Redican will take his oral comprehensive examination on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 starting at 2:00 pm in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.
Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Elizabeth Mack (Chair)
Ashton Shortridge
Igor Vojnovic
Janice Beecher (Public Utilities Institute)

FALL 2018 First Geography Colloquium – Dr. Gregory Veeck, who is researching
The Transformation of Urban Agriculture in China: A Case Study of Nanjing

Geography Building, Room 126 – 09/21/2018, 2:00 -3:00 p.m.

Nanjing, the capital of prosperous Jiangsu Province of China, has grown rapidly during the post-reform era (1979-present). Generally this growth has been better planned than that in most Chinese cities. Still, the pace of change –greatly accelerated after 2000, has put tremendous pressure on the expanding city’s land resources. This case study of land use/land cover change in Nanjing’s Jiangning district covering 23.7% of land under the city’s jurisdiction focuses on changes in agricultural land and labor within the ten 2016-era jiedao (sub-district political units) for the period from 2000 to 2015. This case study provides an excellent opportunity to test an interesting component of the Ginsburg-McGee desakota hypothesis that predicts that Asian extended metropolis regions, unlike similar large cities in Western nations, will consistently maintain agricultural land and labor stocks within metropolitan boundaries over time. The study is based on interviews and “training points” and archival data collected during two site visits in July of 2017 and May of 2018. These data are joined to time-series land cover/land use (LC/LU) analyses made possible through a GIS combining vector-format annual agricultural and agro-economic data with additional raster LU/LC data layers derived from satellite imagery including Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM). The statistical unit of analysis are the 10 jiedao (sub-county units) that compose Jiangning District. Results indicate Jiangning continues to maintain a high, if decreasing, proportion of agricultural land and employment. Two reasons are posited for this stability: changing consumer preference and “green” land use policies enacted by the Nanjing government. Firstly, consumer concerns related to what Beck refers to as the “Risk Society” have dramatically increased demand for local and/or organic produce, which in turn has increased net returns per unit area for farmed land. Secondly, after significant decreases for all ten jiedao from 2000 to 2010, conservation policies mandated by local governments appear to have helped stabilize arable land losses from 2010 to 2015. However, as predicted by several classic geographic land use models, those jiedao in closest proximity to Nanjing’s central business districts lost arable land at greater rates than those in the periphery of the district. To close, OLS linear multiple regression analyses identify those factors that are the most effective predictors of arable land as a proportion of total land in each jiedao over this period.

Ms. Cadi Fung will be defending her dissertation

Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. at, 673 Auditorium Rd, Room 105 Geography Bldg.
Title: SPACES OF CONFLICT AND CONSERVATION IN THE CENTRAL BRAZILIAN AMAZON: ARTISANAL FISHERS, WILDLIFE TOURISM, AND THE AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Faculty are welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Cynthia Simmons (chair)
Leo Zulu
Linda Kalof (Sociology)
Sarah Nicholls

If you would like an electronic copy of dissertation please contact Sharon Ruggles at, ruggles@msu.edu

Mr. Cody Lown will defend his thesis:
Title: Railroad Investment and the Development of the Chicago Region, 1850-1910

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with the permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically.   Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Igor Vojnovic (chair)
Kyle Evered
Patricia Machemer (School of Planning, Design, and Construction)

Mr. Ameen Kadhim will defend his dissertation

Monday, August 6, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. in room 105 Manly Miles Building.

Title: MEASURING AND MODELING THE EFFECTS OF SEA LEVEL RISE ON NEAR-COASTAL RIVERINE REGIONS: A GEOSPATIAL COMPARISON OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB RIVER IN SOUTHERN IRAQ WITH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA IN SOUTHERN LOUISIANA, USA.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  The faculty is welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Ashton Shortridge (chair)
Lifeng Luo
Jiaguo Qi
Hayder Radha,  ( Electrical and Computer Engineering )

If you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation, please contact Sharon Ruggles at, ruggles@msu.edu

Mr. Clayton Queen will defend his thesis

Title: “Large-scale Mapping and Geomorphometry of Upland Periglacial Landscapes in Eastern Beringia.” 

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically. Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Fritz Nelson (co-chair)
Alan Arbogast (co-chair)
Ashton Shortridge

Mr. Rajiv Paudel will take his oral comprehensive examination on Thursday, May 10, 2018, starting at 2:00 pm in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Arika Ligmann-Zielinska (Chair)
Leo Zulu
Bruno Basso (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Laura Kathryn Schmitt Oblabisi (Department of Community Sustainability

Ms. Leah Mungai will present and defend her dissertation proposal at the following date and time:   

Title: ” Multi-scale Sustainable Intensification of Small-holder Agriculture in Malawi”

Two hours will be allowed for the presentation and subsequent questioning. An initial uninterrupted presentation of the proposed research should be 20-30 minutes in length. Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation. The question session that follows will be moderated by the student’s Advisor, and all Guidance Committee members will actively participate. However, all persons attending may ask questions and offer comments.

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like her to send you an electronic copy of the proposal.

Committee members:
Joseph Messina (Chair)
Jiaguo Qi
Leo Zulu
Sieglinde Snapp (Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences)

Mr. Chase Kasmerchak will take his oral comprehensive examination on Monday, April 30, 2018, starting at 9:00 am in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Randy Schaetzl (Chair)
Alan Arbogast
Michael Velbel (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
David E. Rothstein (Forestry)

Title: FLOODING OIL: INVESTIGATING POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Faculty are welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Sue Grady (Chair)
Alan Arbogast
Leo Zulu
Rita Edozie (James Madison)

To: All GEO undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, Geography Club, GTU and Triple G members, and guests.

Please Join Us In Celebrating

The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences GEO-GTU Annual Spring Reception

Recognizing Students For Their Academic Achievements
Graduating Seniors, Masters, and Ph.D.
GTU Initiates, and Department Award Winners

Friday, April 27, 2018

3:00-4:30 P.M.

Radiology Building Atrium

Refreshments served at 3:00 – Program begins at 3:15

All graduating students, GTU initiates, and award winners, are encouraged to bring your families or others who have encouraged you during your duration here at MSU!

Please Register! A sign-up sheet is located on Geography office door 109 or, email Ana O’Donnell at, odonn128@msu.edu

Marjorie and Lawrence Sommers Graduate Fellowship for International Research and Travel –  Laurie Sommers Presented to: Christina Gauthier

Owen Gregg Global Climate Change Research Award –  Sharon Zhong Presented to: Brad Peter

Graduate and Undergraduate Research Presentation Competition Winners – Under Graduate Winner: Celia Hallan (far right) Graduate Winners: First Place, Kelsey Nyland (Not in photo), Second Place, Victoria Breeze (Far left), Third Place, Chase Kasmerchak (center).

E. James Potchen Award for Geography – Winner for Undergraduate, Presented by: Kyla Dahlin (far left)  to, Michelle Church (center) Also in the photo is Academic Advisor, Gary Schnakenberg.

E. James Potchen Award for Geography – Winner for Graduate, Presented by: Nathan Moore to April Frake

GTU Inductees – Presented by: Gary Schnakenberg (far right). From right to left; Alan Arbogast, Vincent Black, Noah Bussell, Michelle Church, Benjamin Dougherty, Augustus Evered, Hannah Klein, Elizabeth Mack, Jacob Scott, Ashton Shortridge. Missing; Mikaela Czupski, Aires Rafael Gonguela, and Rajiv Paudel.

The Geography Club – Kaitlynn Burkhard & Alex Lafler

Geography Graduate Group – Triple G & SWIG

Ms. Jeanette Eckert will defend her dissertation at the following date and time:

Title:  AN ANALYSIS OF THE RESTAURANT LANDSCAPE IN THE DETROIT METROPOLITAN AREA: TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND SPATIAL PATTERNS OF DIFFERENCE. 

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  The faculty is welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Igor Vojnovic (Chair)
Sue Grady
Arika Ligmann-Zielinska
Eva Kassens-Noor  (School of Planning, Design, & Construction CSS)
Laura Reese (Political Science)

Ms. Gabriela Shirkey:  Straight-to-Phd presentation

Title: Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Agricultural Landscape Production.

All welcome to attend.