UTK GEOGRAPHY Newsletter of the University of Tennessee Department of Geography Winter 2005 Headspeak by Bruce Ralston During the on the sound decisions of my predecessors. past academic Gathering the measures of departmental year, the quality filled me with a good deal of pride, and Department of I was awe-struck by the generosity of our Geography friends and alumni. Reviewing the history of underwent an the Department left me feeling fortunate that academic Geography has been so blessed to have program dedicated people throughout the history of the review. Conducted once every ten years, an University. One fortunate aspect of the timing academic program review is a major under- of our academic program review was that it taking. Departments must conduct a self- coincided with the Association of American study, looking at what they have done since Geographer’s Centennial Celebration. Sid the last review, honestly assessing Jumper wrote a wonderful their strengths and weaknesses, "I was awe- chapter entitled “Geography at and mapping out what they would the University of Tennessee: like to accomplish in the next ten struck by the 1794-2003” which appeared in years. A review team consisting generosity of the AAG’s publication The of people from within the Univer- our friends and South’s Role in the Making of sity of Tennessee and geogra- alumni." American Geography. phers from other universities visits There is indeed a rich history the department over a three day to the Department. Geography period and conducts extensive interviews with classes date back to 1794 when Blount faculty, students, and administrators. The College was established. In 1840, the first findings from the review process can affect a named Professor of Latin and Geography, department’s standing within the University Rev. William J. Keith, was appointed. Geog- and the College, and can influence funding raphy classes have been offered continuously decisions within the University. since 1907. Over the 20th century, Geography When I first contemplated putting benefited from the dedication of many indi- together the self-study document I was viduals. The accomplishments of the men and overwhelmed. I did not look upon the task as women who shaped our Department are something to enjoy. As I compiled the infor- impressive. The history of the Department mation about our activities of the past decade reflects the dedication to geography by people and began to reflect on decisions we have such as Harold Clyde Amick, Lillian Stimson, made concerning curricular development, and Sidney Jumper. A small group of faculty research directions, hiring decisions, and the and staff, helped enormously by the generosity like, I became more enthusiastic about the of friends and alumni, has shown what Dept. of Geography task. As I studied our committee structures, dedicated professionals can accomplish when 304 Burchfiel Bldg. the seriousness with which we handle advis- Knoxville, TN 37996 working toward common goals. If you would ing, and the various outreach activities in like to read more about our departmental which we participate, I was impressed by how our departmental governance has been based Continued on Page 2 history, visit our web site at http://web.utk.edu/ high dividends. With your support we should ~utkgeog. I have posted the Departmental continue to move forward. History section of our self-study document On a personal note, the review there for all to read. Just follow the Depart- process made me realize how fortunate we mental History link. are to work in a discipline we enjoy along The successes of the present faculty, side a never ending supply of bright young staff, and students also are impressive. The people. At the risk of sounding corny, I self-study confirmed what I already knew. The realize more than ever that it is a privilege to recent history of the Department of Geography be an educator and that privilege exists has been marked by strong hires, more inter- because of the hard work and support of disciplinary research, expanded service activi- many people, past and present. ties, and increased external funding. The lists of awards, books, articles, grants, contracts, student achievements, and other measures of quality are impressive. However, lists of Water Resources Class Part- honors tell only part of the story. The strongest ners with Community Groups indicator of quality can be drawn from the level of engagement of the faculty and staff in serving In spring 2004, Carol Harden’s our teaching, research, and service missions. Water Resources class (Geog. 436) joined With a faculty of 12 and 4 staff members, we with the Beaver Creek Task Force to assess run productive research programs, solid the condition of Beaver Creek and its tribu- general educational and major programs, taries. Specialists from TVA provided maps carefully administered, cutting edge graduate and other resources for the project and programs, and an outreach program that trained students to use the Center for Water- exemplifies the best of what public universities shed Protection protocols for stream reaches are about. and their contributing areas. Student presen- The review went very well. The tations, data, and reports were distributed to qualities I see in the people around me were the agencies that comprise the Beaver Creek echoed by the review team. I have received Task Force, including TVA, Knox County several “warm-fuzzy” compliments from Engineering, the Beaver Creek Watershed various people around the University. When Association, several local utilities, and UT’s the review was completed, I wrote the follow- Water Resources Research Center. ing in an email to Sid Jumper: “We are walking For the students, the project offered in tall cotton these days….Thanks for the a chance to combine learning with assisting investment in thought, hope, and courage you the local community. Outside interest in their made in all of us.” (I also told him not to projects increased the professionalism of the expect too many sappy emails from me!) students’ work. For the Beaver Creek Task These same comments apply to the faculty and Force, student participation offered the staff with whom I work every day. possibility of greatly enlarging the knowledge The academic program review also and database. Students also helped TVA test made us look at some hard realities. We are an early (and not completely user-friendly) currently suffering growing pains, as more version of a digital database that is being students choose to be Geography majors. We developed to allow inter-institutional data- need more faculty members and graduate sharing. assistants and our staff and graduate assistants The project was highlighted in the deserve better funding. We are hopeful of College’s Academic Outreach publication in improvements. We believe that we have spring 2004. And, yes, there are beavers in shown that investments in Geography pay Beaver Creek, which flows from east to west Page 2 in north Knox County. Investment Opportunities in Geography Gifts to the Geography Department may be designed for a specific purpose or fund or given to the department’s Enrichment Fund as discretionary funding. Be assured that it will make a difference! Existing funds are shown below. Please contact Bruce Ralston if you would like more information or if you would like to target your gift for a purpose not shown. The Development Offices of the College and University would be pleased to have you ask about other forms of giving, such as bequests, charitable lead trusts, and gifts of the remainder interest in a personal residence or farm, and they are set up to help you evaluate the tax ben- efits of different gift options. All contributors making gifts of a hundred dollars or more are eligible for University recognition via the Gift Club. The Tennessee Geography Education Fund – Robert G. Long Outstanding Graduate This endowment began in 1997 with gifts from Student Award Fund – The Robert G. Long J. Harrison Livingston and the Tennessee Award, established to honor Professor Long Geographic Alliance that were matched by the who retired in 1979, honors one or two gradu- National Geographic Society. Another endow- ate students each year for superior scholarship ment is being established and the National and service to the department. The students are Geographic Society can match an additional recognized on a plaque and receive checks of $500,000. $50. Stewart K. McCroskey Memorial Fund – Geography Department Scholarship Fund – Established by the McCroskey family after This fund provides one or more tuition scholar- Stewart’s death. This fund supports field ships to outstanding undergraduate geography research and professional travel by Geography majors. students and faculty. The Geography Department Enrichment Sid Jumper Teachers’ Scholarship Fund – Fund – This fund may be used to meet special Established in 1995 when Sid Jumper stepped needs as determined by the department faculty. down from the role of Head of the department, In recent years, it has supplements our operat- this fund supports graduate training for K-12 ing budget and provided travel support to teachers. professional meetings for faculty and students. Bill & Donna Cobble Geography Enhance- The Geography Technological Enrichment ment Endowment – Proceeds from this fund, Fund – Established in 1995 by two anonymous established in 1995 by Bill & Donna Cobble in donors, the funds are used to provide our support of undergraduate education in Geogra- computer research labs and classrooms with up phy at UTK, are used to enhance the educa- to date equipment and software. tional experiences of undergraduate students. Geography Endowment Fund – Donations are Edwin H. & Elizabeth H. Hammond Endow- invested by the university. The principal ment Fund in Geography – Established to generates quarterly interest to the Geography honor Professor Hammond, who retired in 1987 Enrichment Fund. and who continues to match gifts to the fund, this endowment brings a distinguished lecturer to the department each year.