Fairmont State University Announces Year-Long “Geographers Take Action” Initiative

Fairmont State University, a proud Core Partner of the American Association of Geographers (AAG), proudly announces its robust lineup of events for its year-long initiative, "Geographers Take Action".

The campaign highlights the transformative potential of geography and geospatial sciences in addressing real-world challenges and inspiring action. Fairmont State is honored to collaborate with fellow geo-organizations, including the American Geographical Society, the American Geosciences Institute, Esri, EDGE Geospatial, the Esri Young Professionals Network, and the National Council for Geographic Education, in promoting geographic education and innovation.

Themed "Geographers Take Action," this campaign highlights the far-reaching impact of geographic knowledge. Geography, the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments explores topics ranging from the cultural geography of everyday life - such as food, music, and architecture - to the ways people live through cellphones, transportation, and governance. It also addresses challenges like flooding, disease, social welfare, and safety through stories, satellites, and maps. Geographers use spatial information to drive meaningful change and contribute to building a better future.

This initiative leverages partnerships with Fairmont State's Geography and Geographic Information Science (GISC) Minor, the Geographic Information Systems and Science (GISS) Lab, and collaborators across disciplines including Studio Art and Graphic Design, Community Health, and Information Systems Management. The shared efforts create immersive educational experiences, foster global connections, and inspire students to explore the diverse applications of geography.

"I'm excited for Fairmont State University to be involved in this worldwide celebration of geography and geospatial," said Assistant Professor of Geography Dr. Barb Maclennan "Geographers call our students spatial thinkers because it's the lens through which we explore our world. This year's theme focuses on geospatial careers. Join us as we put Fairmont State on the map."

With a commitment to raising geography awareness year-round, Fairmont State serves as a hub for in-person and virtual activities that engage students, educators, and the wider community. Key highlights include dynamic collaborations with disciplines across campus, a student-led GeoSavvy Guide, interactive exhibits, workshops, and the promotion of the West Virginia Story Maps Contest for K-12 students.

Open to students in grades 3-12, the WV Story Maps Contest encourages participants to combine text, images, and maps to tell their unique West Virginia story. Top submissions will advance to the state-level competition, emphasizing the power of storytelling through geography.

"If something happens on the planet you can use geography to understand it, at least at some level, and everything happens somewhere," Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Geography faculty, Frank Lafone stated.

One of the most anticipated events of the fall "Geographers take Action" lineup is the virtual talk "GIS in Movies and TV, Part III", presented by West Virginia Association of Geographers (WVAGP) members Gene Del Greco and Todd Tucky. This will take place on Dec. 4 from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The event is virtual, and a link will be provided before the event on the "Geographer's Take Action" website.

This presentation, inspired by Fairmont State University students, offers a deeper dive into how geospatial professionals are portrayed in contemporary media. Del Greco will analyze mapping ethics, techniques, and cartographic representation in popular films and shows while discussing how these depictions influence public perceptions of GIS and geography. Participants gain unique insights into the critical role of geospatial science in real-world problem-solving.

The entire "Geographers Take Action" event schedule and details can be viewed by visiting https://arcg.is/1808Ke2.

Whether attending an event, exploring resources through Fairmont State's GeoSavvy Guide, or participating in the WV Story Maps Contest, there's something for everyone to discover the power of geography. Fairmont State University is proud to be at the forefront of geography education, fostering geographic literacy and innovation for a better tomorrow.