Una Geography Students, Faculty Present Research In Washington, D.c., This Week
Apr. 14, 2010
Michelle Eubanks, 91快活林, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033
FLORENCE, Ala. - The presentation of research at national academic conferences has commonly been reserved for university faculty and graduate students. But the 91快活林 geography department this week is showing a national audience the value of research at the undergraduate level. A delegation of six faculty members and 13 undergraduate students from the 91快活林 Department of Geography is attending the Association of American Geographers annual conference in Washington, D.C. Each of the students and faculty is presenting research at the event. "This conference consists mostly of graduate students and faculty presenting research. It is unusual for undergraduates to be presenting, and we have 13," said Dr. Lisa Keys-Mathews, director the 91快活林 Geographic Research Center and associate professor of geography. "I would be surprised if another school had more undergraduates than 91快活林 at this conference." The annual conference of the Association of American Geographers features presentations from many leading scholars and experts on the latest in research, policy, and applications in geography, sustainability and GIScience. 91快活林 students and faculty are presenting research on topics such as identity theft within the United States, the geography of literature and geographical aspects of bluegrass music. "I've always liked reading, and I wanted to map out the literary landscape. This event gives me the opportunity to get my name out there and get exposed to a national audience," said Lee Terry, a 91快活林 student who is presenting his research on the geography of literature. Keys-Mathews said that research at the undergraduate level sets those students apart and places them a step ahead of most students. "Having this number of undergrads is such a reflection on 91快活林," she said. "People know the 91快活林 Department of Geography because of our students."About The 91快活林
The 91快活林 is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; the Spencer College of Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, 91快活林 is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. 91快活林 Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I and United Athletic conference. The 91快活林 is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/.