NIU Student Subunit of the Illinois Lakes Management Association

The NIU Student Subunit of the Illinois Lakes Management Association (ILMA) is a student organization seeking to enhance students' knowledge of preserving our valuable national water resources, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and watersheds. The Illinois Lakes Management Association (http://www.ilma-lakes.org/) established the NIU Student Subunit with the intent of reaching students currently persuing an education in environmental sciences.

We have fun and interesting activities planned throughout the semester such as water quality sampling of the Lagoon and Kishwaukee river using radiosondes, volunteer-based lake clean-ups, and the ILMA annual conference March 1-3 at the Holmes Student Center that will provide a great opportunity for those seeking to network with professionals in water quality-related fields. We aim to not only help maintain the Lagoon and Kishwaukee River, but also to involve the Dekalb community so we may work as a team to restore and preserve their quality for future generations.

There are currently no fees to join our organization! Those interested may contact Evan Bing (President) via email: evanbing@gmail.com or by phone: (847) 274-4910. "Like" our Facebook page for more information: http://www.facebook.com/NIUILMA

Geography students and faculty (Dr. Greene and Luo) will be actively invovled in the ILMA annual conference. NIU students can attend sessions for free. Details can be found at http://www.ilma-lakes.org/ilma-27th-annual-conference.

NIU Geography Club Activities

The goal the the NIU Geography Club is to expand on the interest of the subject outside the classroom. We are a relatively small and new club, but we are looking to expand and become recognized by the university. Anyone with any interest in geography is encouraged to join the Geography Club. A meeting will take place Tuesday, February 21st at 6pm in Davis Hall. We will be discussing club events for the end of the spring semester. Derek Bus can be contacted at Derek.N.Bus@Gmail.com for questions concerning upcoming club meetings and events.
(post submitted by Derek Bus)

Dr. Rich Greene on BBC News about the World's Largest Cities

Dr. Rich Greene was recently featured on BBC News about the World's Largest Cities. More at the follwoing links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16761784
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00n1j58#synopsis

Congratulations to Rich!

Mike Ribant was awarded People’s Choice Award

PhD student Mike Ribant was awarded People’s Choice Award (student division ) for his poster “Persistent County Clusters of High Unemployment Across Recessions: November 2001-June 2009” at the fall 2011, Illinois Geographic Information Systems Association meeting.

GIS Night

NIU’s Department of Geography - Advanced Geospatial Laboratory held its fourth annual GIS Night on Wednesday, November 16. GIS Night coincides with Geography Awareness Week which is sponsored by the National Geographic Society and other geographic organizations around the world.

Demonstrations included traditional 2D GIS mapping, touch screen technology, digital signage, holographic maps, 3D animations and several activities geared towards children grades k – 12. The lab was open for several hours and was attended by a cross section of students, faculty and the public. Several graduate students that worked in the lab were present to help answer guest questions. Prizes were given out that included a world globe and T-Shirt.
(post submitted by Phil Young)

Dr. Lesley Rigg selected as Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Affairs

Congratulations to Dr. Lesley Rigg from the Department of Geography! She has been selected as the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Affairs. Dr. Rigg brings to the position a strong background as an active researcher, with funding from the National Science Foundation. She also brings experience as part of the leadership team of our NSF ADVANCE Catalyst Grant, as a former Director of Undergraduate Studies in Geography and as a member of numerous department, college and university committees and task forces. Her duties will begin on July 1.

(Post submitted by Jodi Heitkamp)

Dr. Richard Greene featured on NIU Today

Dr. Richard Greene's recent analysis of census data of suburban Chicago is featured on NIU Today.
See more details at http://www.niutoday.info/2011/05/24/shifting-suburban-hierarchy/