Centennial “Hall of History” to Feature Geographers on Film GAIA GALA
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Volume 38, Number 8 • September 2003 In This Issue Centennial “Hall of History” to Feature Geographers on Film ne of the special events at the Centennial Film: A Retrospective: Meeting will be the AAG “Hall of History,” Survival in the Male- O which will feature, among many exhibits, dominated Academe” the Geographers on Film (GOF) series. GOF is an (1990). From the Meridian ................2 outstanding collection of videotaped interviews of The experience President’s Column ..............3 prominent geographers (plus other holdings) on that the MSU library Award Deadlines ................15 the history of geography, produced by Maynard has gained from main- Call for Papers ......................16 Weston Dow, Professor Emeritus from Plymouth taining the Vincent Geographic Centers ..........16 State College. Voice Library, one of Grants & Awards ..................17 This remarkable collection will be presented in the most significant Grants & Competitions......18 the AAG’s Centennial Theater, in the Hall of collections of voice New Appointments............19 History, where Wes Dow, Geoffrey Martin, and messages in the world, Member Profile ....................20 other AAG historians and archivists will be avail- Dow has assisted in the Necrology ..............................21 able to discuss the films and answer questions. establishment of the Maynard Weston Dow and Members of Note..................21 The collection recently obtained a permanent Nancy Freeman Dow Geographers on Film Collection, New Members........................22 home with the assistance of the Michigan State under initiatives by Dr. Michael Seadle (historian Specialty Group News ......24 University Library. The Library will be digitizing and head of the MSU Library’s Digital and Multi- Quarter Century ..................26 several of the videotapes for Internet access, media Center) and an ad hoc working group Jobs in Geography..............28 the first of which is “Women Geographers on Continued on page 6 Books Received....................38 Events ......................................39 GAIA GALA AAG’s 100th Birthday Celebration oin fellow geographers from around evening, the 16th of March. Hors the world in celebrating the AAG’s d’oeuvres, drinks, and a huge birthday J 100th birthday at a once-in-a-life- cake are included and entertainment will time ball. The “Gaia Gala,” also known as feature a premier dance band, a the “Geography Party of the Century,” Mummers band, and many other special will be the premier social event of the activities. Don’t miss it! Register online Philadelphia meeting. All Centennial for the Centennial Meeting today Meeting registrants are invited to attend at www.aag.org. For more information, this free extravaganza in the Grand Ball- contact Oscar Larson at meeting@ room in Philadelphia on Tuesday aag.org. Mummers Bands, with their outra- geous costumes and brash music, are a Philadelphia tradition. Photo by Edward Savaria, Jr., and used with The 2004 Centennial Meeting paper submission permission of the Philadelphia Convention and deadline is 9 October 2003. Visitors Bureau. www.aag.org AAG Newsletter 1 September 2003 From the Meridian AAG Newsletter AAG Director of Educational of the Association of American Affairs Osa Brand Retires Geographers n behalf of the staff, Council, and supported a survey of community college membership of the AAG, I would geography, which resulted in an AAG Douglas Richardson, Publisher O like to devote this column to publication by Joan Clemons. Amy Jo Woodruff, honoring the long and valuable service of Asked for examples of the impact that Director of Publications Dr. Osa Brand, who is retiring after thir- some of the AAG educational projects have had, Osa noted that the ARGUS and Heather M. Baker, Editor teen years as Director of Educational Affairs at the AAG. Osa joined the AAG ARGWorld distribution contract with Megan D. Nortrup, Holt, Rinehart and Winston Editorial Assistant in January 1990. Her major initial contribu- will ensure that the materials AAG Voice 202-234-1450 tions were to help develop reach well over 200,000 AAG Fax 202-234-2744 and achieve funding for a teachers over the next four [email protected] project initiated by Saul years. As a result, those proj- www.aag.org Cohen, then AAG President, ects can help change the way that resulted ultimately in the geography is taught in many USPS 987-380 ISSN 0275-3995 production of the ARGUS secondary schools. She was and ARGWorld curriculum also pleased to be able to The AAG Newsletter ISSN 0275-3995 materials (see page 6). Other say that the undergraduate is published monthly by the Associa- projects included working minority recruitment project tion of American Geographers, 1710 with Dr. Cohen and a team of Brand made a significant difference 16th Street NW, Washington, DC geographers from several universities to in the lives of the participating students. 20009-3198. The cost of an annual develop and manage a three-year under- Many of them described the experience as a major turning point that opened subscription is $25.00 The subscrip- graduate minority recruiting initiative; career possibilities they had never before tion price is included in the annual collaboration with Phil Gersmehl and Joseph Stoltman on curriculum materials considered. A large number of the stu- dues of the Association. Not available dents went on to graduate programs and exchange programs that resulted in the to non-members. Periodicals postage careers in geography. translation of the ARGUS materials to paid in Washington, DC. All news Osa is planning on a “half-time retire- Russian and Japanese; and support of an ini- items and letters, including job listings, ment.” She will continue to consult with tiative led by Susan Hanson to develop should be sent to the Editor at the the AAG on a flexible basis, and will work active-learning teaching modules on the address below or to [email protected]. part-time representing the National Coun- human dimensions of global change. Osa All Newsletter materials must cil for Geographic Education from her also had advisory roles in several arrive at the Association office by the home in the Washington, DC area. In both educational projects developed by other 1st of the month preceding the month roles she will continue to be active in geog- organizations, including the Power of Place of the publication. This includes job raphy education at the national level, and public television series. listings. Material will be published on will coordinate with the AAG’s new Educa- As an AAG representative on the a space available basis and at the dis- tional Affairs Director, Dr. Michael Solem GENIP (Geography Education National (see page 8). cretion of the editorial staff. Implementation Project) steering commit- When your address changes, please Osa also plans to spend more time with tee, Osa interacted regularly on educa- her family, especially her new grandson. notify the Association office immediate- tional issues with the National Council for Please join me in thanking Osa for her ly. Six weeks notice is necessary to Geographic Education, the American exceptional contributions to the AAG and insure uninterrupted delivery of AAG Geographical Society, and the National to geography education, and in wishing her publications. To assist the AAG office in Geographic Society. She enjoyed helping great enjoyment in her “semi-retirement” your address change, include the address to organize the AAG's annual World years ahead. She has been a joy to work label with your change of address. Geography Bowl and working with other with and a wonderful ambassador for geog- Postmaster: Send address changes AAG staff to manage the Visiting raphy and the AAG. We thank you for to AAG Newsletter, 1710 16th Street Geographical Scientist Program. With a sharing all of this with us, Osa. ■ NW, Washington, DC 20009-3198, or strong interest in community college [email protected]. geography, she also helped establish the Doug Richardson Community College Affinity Group and [email protected] 2 AAG Newsletter www.aag.org President’s Column Volume 38, Number 8 Looking Toward the AAG’s Centenary he AAG is on the threshold of turn- Local Program Committee (chaired by Of course, the centennial celebration ing one hundred years old. Why Percy Dougherty). will not be confined to Philadelphia. Spe- T should we care? After all, the num- The Annual Meeting is undoubtedly our cial forums will appear in the Annals ber 100 has a veneer of significance only most prominent ritual in the AAG. A land- and The Professional Geographer; the AAG because we happen to be inheritors of a mark anniversary provides an opportunity will release a long-range plan that comes base-ten numbering system. It could cer- for an annual meeting that is even broader out of a multi-year planning process; tainly be argued that a 100th anniversary in scope than usual. (Some of you may still and the staff, officers, and Council is no more important than a 99th or remember the special 75th Annual Meet- members are working to capitalize on the 101st one. ing.) A variety of special events are centenary to advance specific AAG proj- Yet neither organizations nor societies planned, ranging from a set ects and initiatives. can function without some common of high-profile plenary ses- By its very nature, a cen- understandings, which are renewed (and sions to a celebratory tennial observance signals sometimes recast) through agreed-upon evening gala. To commemo- a concern with tradition, rituals. Institutions ignore rituals at their rate the AAG’s first 100 years, but it need not be obsessed peril; if opportunities for reflection and the meeting will include a with the past. Some of celebration are missed, the invisible bonds “hall” showcasing historic our members have urged a that hold them together will almost cer- items and a fascinating set of forward-looking approach to tainly unravel. Surely, then, we should films put together by Wes the centennial.