Department of Geography
"Geography provides a broad ranging perspective on humans as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth."
- The department offers areas of academic emphasis including: physical geography, human-environment interaction; community and environmental planning, geographic techniques such as cartography and GIS Science; and regional geography
- We place an emphasis on improving the geographical literacy of our students; applying geographical knowledge to environmental issues and the needs of society; and educating competent, versatile, and humane professionals well prepared to contribute to both their local and global communities
- The department is at the forefront of the campaign to internationalize the University’s campus. In particular, it has been central to the development of The University of Montana’s Central and Southwest Asian Studies Program which is increasingly seen as one of the nation’s leaders in promoting knowledge and education about these vitally important world regions.
Undergraduate Student James Robertson
James Robertson
Hometown: Adel, Iowa
Advisor: Dr. Paul Wilson
An incredibly bright and creative student who “wows” fellow students and faculty with his cartography and knowledge of mapping software
Maintains a high standard of excellence in his coursework and a 3.6 GPA
Has developed an advanced level of knowledge and skill in the areas of GIS Science and geospatial technologies
Has pursued a range of interesting opportunities in the realm of conservation and resource management including: research projects for UM courses that focus on GIS applications to resource management problems; served on a trail service crew for the Forest Service in the Bob Marshall Wilderness; and an internship with the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center studying invasive plants as part of the NASA Beyond Hayden Project
He is currently a strong candidate for a geography internship with the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC
Undergraduate Student Kreta Zackus
Hometown: Lewistown, Montana
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Gritzner
Maintains a high GPA of 3.5 while raising three children as a single parent – this is truly commendable!
Among the faculty she is known as a student who consistently carries out every project with integrity, energy, and professionalism
She is interested in cultural geography, international issues, and regional studies and is currently assisting Dr. Udo Fluck, Director of Mulitcultural Learning Soluations, as a preceptor for a course on cultural and global competence
Graduate Student Chad Edward Newman
Chad Edward Newman
Hometown: Ashland, Oregon
Advisor: Dr. David Shively
Topic: Renewable energy resources (Title: "Renewable Energy in the Bitterroot: Public Perceptions of the Landscape")
Research focuses on a critical issue in Montana, i.e., energy and energy policy and is surveying residents’ perceptions of alternative energy with a particular emphasis on small hydroelectric facilities and their environmental impacts
Developing a preliminary proposal and the cartography and GIS for zoning (incorporating population, wildlife, soils, hydrology, fish habitat and so forth) along the Highway 93 corridor in conjunction with the Land Use Law Clinic (under supervision by John Horwich of the Law School)
Chair of the Student Evaluation Committee, Fall 2005
Current President of the Montana Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon (the scholarly association of geographers) and is very active in promoting faculty-student engagement!
Graduate Student Greg Lewis
Greg Lewis
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Advisor: Dr. David Shively
Topic: Brownfield Redevelopment in Baltimore, Maryland
Served as an intern with the Maryland Department of the Environment in which he served as the Student Technical Assistant to the Coordinator of Environmental Justice; assisted with the development of the Guide to Environmental Justice Stewardship and a Handout for Community Involvement and Outreach and edited the Public Participation Guide - Citizen Handbook Geography provides a broad ranging perspective on humans as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth
Developed expertise in brownfield redevelopment policy, environmental justice, reuse of historic buildings, economics of cleanup programs
Research Assistant to the Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL)
Avid canoeist
Graduate Student Jennifer Parker Hamilton
Jennifer Parker Hamilton
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Gritzner
Topic: Rebuilding in the Midst of Disaster: An Assessment of the Response to the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake
Conducted field research over two periods (November 2005 and May-June 2006) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the damage and impact of the October 8, 2005 earthquake. This research centered on the valleys and villages most heavily impacted by this catastrophic event that resulted in the death of 86,000 people
Currently co-authoring four papers (in collaboration with Drs. Ulrich Kamp and Sarah Halvorson) for publication in peer-review journals that report on the societal and structural damage of the Kashmir earthquake
Is a recipient of the prestigious Kasperson Graduate Research in Hazards award and has been invited to present her research at the Kasperson session at the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, April 17-21, 2007 in San Francisco, California
Undergraduate Student Benjamin Terry
Benjamin Terry
Research Mentor: Dr. Ardeshir Kia
Topic of Research: Critical Planning and Infrastructures: Planning for Natural Hazards and Disasters
Research: Ben would like to study critical planning and infrastructures in his graduate work. He is interested in implementing techniques to help residents of Central and Southwest Asia, as well as other countries, prepare for and minimze the impact that natural disasters, hazards, and acts of terrorism have on those communities.
