Volume 17, Issue 1 • Summer 20182018 GeogSU18Newsletter24pp.indd 1 8/8/18 10:59 AM GEOGRAPH Volume 17, Issue 1, Summer 2018 This newsletter is a publication of the Department of Geography in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. Designer/editor: Angela Rogers Cover illustration: Tara Mazurczyk Additional editors: Cynthia Brewer, Patricia Craig For inquiries about this newsletter, contact the Department of Geography, 302 Walker Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-5011. Phone: 814-865-3433 Fax: 814-863-7943 Send your news and updates to
[email protected] website: www.geog.psu.edu/ blog: sites.psu.edu/dogblog/ www.facebook.com/pennstategeography/ twitter.com/psugeography/ www.linkedin.com/groups/731847 IN THIS ISSUE 3 • From the department head 4 • Students and colleagues remember Peirce Lewis 8 • Cracking the code for sustainable energy 10 • Female firefighters defy old ideas of who can be an American hero 12 • Seed grant supports collaborative research in immersive technologies for research and teaching 14 • Q&A with Robert Brooks 16 • Community updates 17 • MGIS students study abroad while studying online This publication is available in alternative media on request. The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas.