Support Spartan Geographers

 Thank you to all who have contributed to the various Geography Department funds and scholarships. Your support helps to enhance our programs and benefit our students. Please consider donating to one of the Geography Department funds listed below.

The Harm de Blij Scholar Award | $1,000 per semester

Dr. Harm J. de Blij (1935-2014) was a professor of Geography at Michigan State University from 1960 – 1969, when he left for the University of Miami and subsequent other appointments. In his long scholarly career, he authored more than 30 books, including a number of widely adopted textbooks – several of which have gone on to multiple editions – and over a hundred scholarly articles. He served as editor for National Geographic Research, the National Council for Geographic Education’s Journal of Geography, and as co-editor of the Wiley/National Geographic College Atlas of the World. He made a significant mark outside of the world of academia by becoming the popular Geography Editor on ABC television’s Good Morning America and as a frequent analyst at NBC. He was a tireless champion of geography and was constantly on the lecture circuit over the last decades of his life, speaking to a wide variety of audiences about the importance of the discipline of geography for understanding the world and its many issues. He returned to Michigan State University as the John Hannah Distinguished Professor of Geography in 2000, and whenever he was on campus he would make a point to visit with graduate students and undergraduate classes. He authored several widely read trade books: The Power of Place, Why Geography Matters, and its expanded second edition Why Geography Matters More Than Ever.

Instituted in 2013 by Harm de Blij and supported by other major donors to award scholarships to promising incoming students who choose to major in Geography at Michigan State University. de Blij Scholars will be awarded $1000 each Fall/Spring semester that they are a primary major in one of the Department’s degree programs. Applicants must have fewer than 56 earned credits at the time of application.

Owen Gregg Endowment for Global Climate Change Research | $1,000

The Owen Gregg Global Climate Change Research Award annually provides a financial award in recognition of an undergraduate major or graduate student in Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences pursuing studies that make significant progress toward understanding climate change, its causes, and impacts on our fragile earth. This understanding should be demonstrated by incorporating elements of climatology, meteorology, cartography, physical geography, and political geography. Mr. Owen Gregg recognized the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences as the cornerstone of his first-rate education at Michigan State University. After going on to a highly successful business career focused on ingredient sales to the cosmetics and food industries, he recognized the well-rounded and valuable mentoring and support he received from Department faculty as fostering a broad curiosity about the complex world in which we live. He, therefore, felt that the Department was the logical place to ‘give back’ through establishing an endowment focused on global climate change.

The E. James Potchen Awards in Geography annually recognize a “Graduate Geographer of the Year” and an “Undergraduate Geographer of the Year”| $1000 each

These are the highest student awards given out by the Department of Geography, Environment, & Spatial Sciences and come with considerable honor. Winners have their names engraved on a plaque that is displayed permanently in the Department. The award is in honor of Dr. E. James Potchen, University Distinguished Professor, Radiology Chairman Emeritus, Professor of Management in the College of Business, Professor of Lyman Briggs College, and Professor of Physiology at Michigan State University. Dr. Potchen was the author of 31 books during his tenure at MSU. His career and appreciation of geography have inspired many students and faculty members, as well as setting a positive example of “Team MSU.”

Dr. Harold A. “Duke” Winters Memorial Fellowship | $500

The Dr. Harold A. “Duke” Winters Memorial Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding student at the Junior level, majoring in Environmental Geography. Dr. Winters was a leader in physical geography and geomorphology, with special interest in the depositional landforms associated with continental glaciation. As a recipient of numerous awards, including The DisFnguished Career Award from the Geomorphology Specialty Group of the American AssociaFon of Geographers in 1995, Dr. Winters was highly respected by his peers and students. He authored or co-authored more than 100 academic publications, including the book Battling the Elements: Weather & Terrain in the Conduct of War (1998). Dr. Winters loved teaching Geography as a faculty member of the MSU Department of Geography from 1966 to 1995, and a large number of students have been affected by his wisdom and guidance. This fellowship will carry on his legacy here at MSU and in the field of geography.

Marjorie and Lawrence Sommers Geography Graduate Fellowship for International Research & Travel | $1,500

The Marjorie and Lawrence Sommers Graduate Fellowship for International Research and Travel annually provides financial support to a graduate student in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences who will conduct international research within the next 12 months. A high degree of academic excellence is expected in the work of the M.S. or Ph.D. student who receives this fellowship. This fellowship honors the contributions of Dr. and Mrs. Sommers, who for several decades advanced the study of geography worldwide and supported MSU’s international programs. The Sommers family came to East Lansing in 1949 with Dr. Sommers’ appointment to Michigan State College. When the Department of Geography at MSU was created in 1955, Dr. Sommers became its first Chair, and served in this role for 24 years. Over these years, he conducted international geographic research and travel in numerous countries, especially those in Europe, with Mrs. Sommers, and was actively involved in the programs of the International Geographical Union. Dr. Lawrence Sommers was also one of the leaders in developing international studies and programs on campus, which resulted in the creation of an International Studies Building and an International Studies Center with numerous centers and programs that remain active today.

Michael A. Graff Dissertation Completion Award | $2,000
Graduate students at the Ph.D. level in Geography who have successfully defended their proposals are eligible to apply for this award. The award is meant to provide financial support towards completion of their dissertation research. Special consideration will be given to students who in the course of their research, are engaging in one or more of the following:

• development of a new and/or improved tool, technique, or approach,
• constructive resurrection of a forgotten tool, technique, or approach,
• testing an accepted 'olde' idea/conclusion with modern tools/approaches,
• resolution of a long-debated conundrum,
• clearly outstanding/exemplary research work.

Daniel Jacobson Memorial Scholarship in Cultural Geography | $500

The Daniel Jacobson Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student at the Junior level, majoring in Human Geography or Economic Geography, and especially interested in the cultural geographies of Native Americans, other marginalized groups, and geography education. Professor Dan Jacobson was a faculty member in the Department for many years. His research experiences with a Native American tribe provided the inspiration that infused his later writings, as he said, “… in education, geography, and ethnohistory and particularly to the juveniles of which I am most proud.” He served as a consultant on reference works and authored both scholarly articles and children’s literature. He combined a rare facility for cross-cultural communication with a deep love of teaching and travel.

Jay R. Harman Undergraduate Scholarship in Geography
To support undergraduate study in Geography at MSU.

Geography at MSU Fund
Established in 2001 to promote the MSU Department of Geography, including related advertising, fundraising, travel, and similar expenses.

Geography Literacy Fund
To promote the field of Geography to students.

Geography Field Experience Fund
Established in 2001 to fund student field experiences, including field trips, primary data collection, course-related field experience, and transportation and lodging expenses.

GTU/Geography Endowment Fund
Established in 1999 by Robert and Dorothy Thomas to fund geography-related student activities.

Ian Matley Memorial Fund
Established to bring guest speakers to campus to enrich the geographic education of students and faculty.

  

Please make checks payable to Michigan State University and send donations to:

Ashton Shortridge
Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
Geography Building
673 Auditorium Road, Room 115
East Lansing, MI 48824
(please specify the fund to which you are contributing)

You may also make an online gift to the Department of Geography Discretionary Fund with our safe and secure online gift processing system at the link below.

Give Online