- Department of Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin
-
Geography and The Environment Established 1949 Type Public Location Austin, Texas, United States Campus The University of Texas Website www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/geography 
The Department of Geography and The Environment at The University of Texas at Austin is a division unit of the College of Liberal Arts. The Department was founded in 1949 and is a research focused institution with a well-developed graduate program [1]. It is the first Geography Department established in Texas, and the second within the southwest region of the United States of America.
Research in the department is organized in the following research clusters:
- Space, Place and Social World
- Environmental Changes and Surface Processes
- Digital Landscapes
Contents
History
UT Geography Building
From its founding, the Department has supported regional and international studies, with special emphases on Texas and the Southwest, Latin America, the Mediterranean World and Middle East, and Northern and Eastern Europe. The Department has also provided training in the topical areas of geography. These included cultural geography, physical geography (earth sciences), and mathematical geography (cartography). By 1960, conservation (environmental resource management) had become an explicit topical focus which would be further strengthened over the years. By 1970, urban and regional analysis became an area of departmental concern, and by 2004 Urban Studies had been added as a major managed by the Department. In more recent years, remote sensing, computer cartography, and geographic information systems have been developed as additional areas of teaching and research. In 2004 the Department's name was changed to Geography and the Environment to reflect its enhanced role in the University.
Key Positions
Chairs
Ken Young (2009–present), William E. Doolittle (acting chair, summer 2009), Leo Zonn (2006–2009), William Doolittle (2004–2006), Gregory W. Knapp (1996–2004), William E. Doolittle (1992–1996), Paul W. English (1982–1992), George W. Hoffman (1978–1982), Robert K. Holz (1972–1978), C. Shane Davies (acting chair, 1971–1972), Robert C. Mayfield (1967–1971), Lorrin G. Kennamer (1960–1967), Donald D. Brand (1949–1960).
Department Managers
Dee Dee Barton 2005–present, Karen Eikner 2004-2005, Maria Acosta 2001-2004, Sakena Sounny-Slitine 1997-2001, Ruth Schwab 1996-1997, Jacqueline Erengil, 1992–1996; BeverlyBeaty-Benadom to 1992.
Graduate Coordinators
James Gunter 2008–present, Shannon Harris 2007-2008, Tan Thai 2005-2007, Dee Dee Barton 2001-2005, Maria Acosta 2000-2001, Mechelle Powell 1999-2000; Greg Osburn 1997-1999, Stephanie Bush 1996-1997; Ruth Schwab 1994-1996; Valerie Billingsley, 1993–1994; Judy White 1992-1993; Carol Vernon to 1992.
Undergraduate Advisors
Calina Coakwell Summer 2001–present, Sylvia Edwards-Khan Fall 1999-Spring 2001; Emily (Johnston) Summer/Spring 1999; Amanda Weaver Fall 1998; Melissa Mayo 1997-1998 (Staff position established September 1998, replacing faculty position)
Faculty Members
Current Faculty Members
Paul C. Adams
Adina K. Batnitzky
Ipsita Chatterjee
Kelley A. Crews
William E. Doolittle
Robin Dougthy
Robert A. Dull
Paul F. Hudson
Gregory W. Knapp
Edgardo M. Latrubesse
Jennifer A. Miller
Francisco L. Pérez
Rebecca M. Torres
Kenneth R. Young
Leo E. Zonn
Notable Past Faculty
C. Shane Davies
Paul W. English
Kenneth E. Foote
Robert K. Holz
Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov (1938–2003)[2]
The original faculty of the Department (1949)
Donald D. Brand (1905–1984)
Dan Stanislawski (1903–1997)
George W. Hoffman (1914–1990)
Centers and Labs
UT Geographic Information Science Center
Founded in 2004 the GIScience Center was created to solidify the Department of Geography and The Environments research and teaching focuses in Geographic Information Science. The GIScience center offers an integrated approach to GISc research and teaching. The GIScience Center is the focal point of Geographic Technologies on UT campus and work cross departmental with other research units on campus to develop GIS and Remote Sensing resources and research.
Environmental Information Science Laboratory
The Flagship computing facility of the GIScience center, open to students and researchers providing cutting edge equipment and software to develop Geographic Projects. Founded by Kenneth E. Foote in 1985, the lab is now integrated into the GIScience Center.
Robert K. Holz Remote Sensing Laboratory
Named after Robert K. Holz, the remote sensing laboratory focuses on providing computing facilities for teaching class, training, and professional development of students and researchers on campus.
Digital Landscapes Laboratory
Strictly a research laboratory, the Digital Landscapes Laboratory houses researchers performing technology demanding geographic research.
Physical Geography Center
Physical Geography laboratories provide all equipment and lab space needed for the Department.
Geomorphology and Geoarcheology Laboratory
Quaternary Paleoecology Laboratory
Soils Laboratory
Weather and Climate Resource Center[3]
The department's Weather and Climate resource center maintains a digital database of Austin and Texas weather, storm and climate data including all records for the two National Weather Service first order weather observation stations for the greater Austin metropolitan area at KAUS/Austin Bergstrom International Airport (records since 1942) and at KATT/Austin City - Camp Mabry (records since 1856). In addition the Center provides weather monitoring services during special occasions or emergencies for the University of Texas.
Alumni
Well over a thousand geography and urban studies majors have earned their degrees through our Department, plus over 90 doctoral students and over 220 master's students. Most of the PhD alumni and many of the master's alumni found positions in higher education, and include a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a former president of the Association of American Geographers. The undergraduate program has graduated many successful people who have pursued careers in law, business, medicine, government, education, the military, and journalism.
Notable alumni
Undergraduate alumni
Paul Goodloe, broadcast meteorologist for the Weather Channel.
References
External links
Categories:- University of Texas at Austin schools, colleges, and departments
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
