Harold and Florence Mayer Lecture Spring 2025
The Department of Geography welcomed Dr. Sarah Elwood, professor of geography at the University of Washington, for this year’s Harold and Florence Mayer Lecture on April 11, 2025. In her talk, “Digital Geographies & The City: Methodologies of Hope,” Dr. Elwood explored the complicated relationship between digital technology, urban life, and marginalized communities and how hope often emerges in the most unexpected ways. Dr. Ellwood also had lunch with our graduate students.
Geography 600 Undergraduate Research Symposium and Department of Geography Graduation & Awards Ceremony Spring 2025
The Department of Geography hosted the Undergraduate Research Symposium and Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 2, 2025, at the AGSL. During the ceremony, we celebrated students’ academic achievements, awarded the Mary Jo Read Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year, and recognized graduate students with service awards. For the first time in our department, we also presented awards for special departmental recognition, outstanding teaching and advising, and excellence in graduate teaching. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to our May 2025 graduates
Geography Undergraduate
- Charles Brennan (BA)
- Tyler Grant (BA)
- Michelle Hess (BS)
- Joshua Lenders (BA)
- Nick Leverenz (BS)
- Tyler Moeller (BA)
- Griffin Nash (BA)
- Olivia Morgan Reilly (BA)
- Harrison Shapiro Schneider (BS)
Geography Master
- Bismark Owusu Asare (MS)
- Lacey Fever (MS)
Geography PhD
- Alex Hamilton (PhD)
- Dean Maraldo (PhD)
- Katie Merkle (PhD)
Fall 2025 Orientation for new graduate students
The orientation for new graduate students took place on August 27 in the Geography Conference Room. We are excited to welcome two new master’s students. The event began with a welcome address from the Graduate Program Chair, Alison Donnelly, and the Department Chair, Anne Bonds. Following their remarks, all faculty members introduced themselves, as did the new graduate students.
During the orientation, the Graduate Program Chair reviewed essential policies and procedures for successfully navigating graduate school. She provided guidance on finding resources for funding and support, handling conflicts, and the importance of time management. Experienced graduate students also shared their top tips for succeeding in the program.
Following an informal lunch, they went to the American Geographical Society Library for a tour of the digital collections, which students may find useful for their research.
2025 Fall Semester Kick-Off
Geography graduate students and faculty hang out at Hubbard Park on September 5th.
Advising Afternoon for the Undergraduates Students
At the Geography Undergraduate Student Meeting on Friday, September 26th at AGSL, the undergraduate students asked questions about the upcoming spring semester courses and progress toward graduation to faculty. The department chair, Dr. Anne Bonds, and the undergraduate committee chair, Dr. Kristin Sziarto answered the questions from the undergraduate students.
Geography 650 Students on Field Trip (October 3)
Geography students take a field trip to the UWM Saukville Field Station to explore a range of conservation management practices and challenges associated with three different ecosystems on October 3, 2025: tall and short grass prairies, string bog and beech-maple woodland. On a recent trip, we found this amazing mushroom called lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) on a rotting log. This common fall fungus is native to North America and delicious in omelets.
The American dagger moth (Acronicta americana) caterpillar is native to the area and was just hanging out on a twig. Another common autumn mushroom is the giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) and this one was just waiting to be found!
Who knows what we will find next time?
Geography Graduate Student Meeting
The graduate student meeting took place in Bolton Hall on Friday, October 10th, and was hosted by Grad Chair Dr. Alison Donnelly and Chair Dr. Anne Bonds. The meeting discussed the upcoming graduate open house for students interested in joining the grad program. Travel and summer funds were also addressed to students who need extra funding for traveling for conferences or summer breaks.
