Ross MacKinnon

Ross MacKinnon, scholar and administrative leader at UConn, SUNY-Buffalo, and the University of Toronto, passed away from pancreatic cancer at his home in Sonoma, California, surrounded by family, on Jan. 27, 2025, at the age of 82.

As a geographer, he was well-versed in the development of mathematical models for geographical systems, and he made particular contributions to geography through the application of these models to the fields of transportation and migration.

Ross grew up in New Westminster, Trail, and Kelowna, British Columbia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of British Columbia in 1964. He was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, earning a Master of Science in geography from Northwestern University in 1966, and a Ph.D. in geography from Northwestern University in 1968. He was a faculty member of the University of Toronto’s geography department, where he became a Director of Graduate Studies. He joined SUNY-Buffalo in 1976 as Chair of the geography department and later became Dean of Social Sciences. He joined UConn as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1996 until he retired in 2008. He championed major investments in hiring, research, academic programing, and most importantly … people.

From Dr. Peter A. Rogerson, one of Dr. MacKinnon’s advisees at SUNY-Buffalo:

Ross MacKinnon was my Ph.D. advisor, and I’ll begin by literally “turning back the clock.” Somewhat more than midway through my dissertation defense, I made a statement to the effect that I was running out of time. Ross immediately got up, went over to the wall clock, and turned the hand back ten minutes. That is just a small story hinting at the many ways that he showed his support over the years. He was proactive when it came to students and recruitment — while I was taking a gap year after doing my M.A. with him at the University of Toronto, he wrote to me, convincing me to do my Ph.D. at Buffalo, where he was beginning to build the department in his new role as Chair. During my first AAG, he and I split the presentation of our joint paper. Aside from recalling how much my knees were shaking, I can now recall all of his colleagues he introduced me to — and although I didn’t have a clue at the time, I now recognize how this was one of the most important moments in my career. Over time I saw the time he spent with students, the care he took with them, and how important his mentorship was to their careers. A long line of his students and eventual professors went on to have very successful careers.

One of his traits that I always marveled at was his ability to “cut to the chase.” As a student this took the form of his knowing precisely what to ask a student. He knew what you didn’t know and needed to know, and he was unequaled in asking exactly the right question at the right time, to push you a little further. Later on, when I saw him in his roles as Chair and Dean, this took the form of sizing up both current and prospective faculty. He simply had an uncanny knack for seeing precisely how both personality and talent could or could not contribute to a department or program.

He saw to all aspects of a department — seeing to it that we not only had excellent personnel, but a vibrant social life with picnics, happy hours, and the like. Oh, and by the way, at one of those department picnics, while playing the outfield in the annual softball game, I tried to gun down a runner at second base. When I started my throw, I forgot that Ross was playing second base, and it was only while the ball was in mid-flight that I realized I should have made a softer throw. My last recollection was going to some emergency room or urgent care to see how his fingers were doing and thinking that this was not a good thing to do to your advisor.

Shortly before I arrived at Buffalo, budget cuts in the SUNY system led to very serious consideration of eliminating the department. It is difficult to capture here, but his efforts were absolutely crucial and pivotal in keeping the department alive.

He was also central to putting the department on the road to prominence (and in fact it would not be an exaggeration to say that he did this single-handedly). Part of this was attributable to his vision and his judge of talent and promise, and part was due to his vision of, and his work toward a successful bid to bring the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) to Buffalo.

Ross MacKinnon was a “quick study” when it came to sizing up people’s academic potential, their personalities, and their current or potential contributions to a department or program. His sharp wit and sense of humor gave him the ability to make lightning-quick comments about how someone could or could not help a program, might or might not become a star in the discipline, etc. Listening to his evaluations often left one both laughing at the humor and impressed with his assessment, as well as being in awe of how he could combine the two so quickly. All of this made him a fantastic mentor, colleague, Chair, Dean, and friend.

Ross was a proud Canadian and naturalized U.S. citizen. He loved travel, a good meal with friends, live jazz, contemporary painting, new plays, his dog, and the Buffalo Bills. He had a great sense of humor and was quick with encouragement.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Hoskin, and his two daughters, Pam and Caroline MacKinnon.

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On the Map

Sowing the Seeds for Food Sovereignty in Detroit

February 26, 2025

An urban farm plot of beds with crops and flowers sits in front of a building painted with an artistic mural, courtesy Michigan Urban Farming Initiative - MUFI

Photo courtesy Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI)

Urban agriculture is blossoming in Detroit, gaining recognition for its “green revolution,” through the rise of urban gardens and farms. With a total of 139 square miles or over 100,000 empty lots being vacant, this provides an opportunity to incorporate green spaces into communities throughout the city.

Urban gardening isn’t new to Detroiters. During the economic crisis of 1893, “Potato patches” helped feed hungry families and taught people how to grow their own food during times of social and economic crises. Later, in the 1970s, Mayor Coleman Young’s “Farm a Lot” program set an ambitious goal of transforming 3,000 empty lots into urban gardens. In the late 1960s the Black Panther party served breakfast to children in Black communities — highlighting the racialized gaps in funding from the United States government. The connections among community, mutual aid, and growing and providing food go far back in Detroit. Rather than working against each other, cooperatives and mutual aid programs ensure that groups can pull resources together to beat the system at its own game.

Detroit’s history of gardening, farming, and giving to neighbors shows how communities can move beyond food justice and into food sovereignty. Food justice addresses hunger at a basic level; food sovereignty takes it up a level to define, own, and dictate a food system. This in turn provides the earth with increased resilience to crises and climate impacts, in addition to promoting autonomy for communities. According to shakara tyler, co-executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, part of creating a just society and systems means, “shifting from extractive economy and reinvesting into the regenerative economy.”

The growth of urban agriculture in Detroit is a testament to the resilience and innovation of its people. Initiatives such as the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm and Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network are prime examples of how community-based organizations can catalyze change, serving as educational platforms for sustainable living. Explore gardens and organizations below to see how modern food sovereignty is inspiring Detroiters to create a deep praxis within other justice movements across local and state-wide levels.

View of plants growing in beds in an urban garden plot in Detroit, Michigan — Urban garden plot in Detroit, MI

Michigan Urban Farming Initiative

7432 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48202

Based in Detroit’s North End community, Michigan Urban Farming Initiative’s (MUFI) redevelopment of a three-acre area in Detroit’s North End, is being positioned as an “epicenter of urban agriculture.” With the goal of creating a sustainable “agrihood” with multiple projects, the campus is divided into thirds: production farming, interactive agriculture, and hardscaped spaces, such as their Community Resource Center. Since operating out of their new headquarters, MUFI has been able to grow and distribute over 50,000 pounds of produce (grown using organic methods) to over 2,000 households within 2-square miles at no cost to the recipients.

Oakland Avenue Urban Farm

9227 Goodwin St, Detroit, MI 48211

Operating out of Detroit’s North End neighborhood since 2010, the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm (OAUF) is “cultivating healthy foods, jobs, and active cultural spaces.” The “Farm” grows over 33 varieties of vegetables and fruits and operates a “Harvest on Demand” option with local farmers markets, allowing neighbors to have consistent access to produce. In addition to partnering with local chefs and nonprofits to distribute tens of thousands of hot meals across the city, OAUF provides training opportunities, manages a community land trust, and brings together youth to improve learning and leadership skills.

Keep Growing Detroit

1445 Adelaide St, Detroit, MI 48207

Keep Growing Detroit (KGD) is working to cultivate a food sovereign city where the majority of fruits and vegetables consumed by Detroiters are grown by residents within the city’s limits. Their Garden Resource Program (GRP) supports urban gardening in the city by providing high-quality resources to family, community, school, and market gardens located in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Participants receive seeds, transplants, personalized garden assistance from staff, and a connection to an incredible network of gardeners, farmers, and advocates for a thriving food system across the city.

Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network

11000 W Mcnichols Rd Ste 103, Detroit, MI 48221

Another non-profit that aims to amplify and create sustainable and equitable food systems is the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN). The 7-acre urban “D-Town Farm” grows more than 36 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs with cultural and social significance, with the intention of farming what people want to eat and in high demand. Their work to shift the understanding of food, is a way to have sovereignty and learn about the importance of these systems. In addition to providing security, DBCFSN co-founded the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund with KGD and OAUF to support rebuilding black land wealth. Since 2020, over 239 awards have been made to residents, businesses, and organizations.

North End Agri-Arts Alley

Currently under-going construction

In March 2023, the city announced four new Arts Alley locations in North End, Detroit. Specifically, the North End Alley will be the first Agri-Arts alley as part of a federal grant to transform dilapidated alleys into artistic oases. Anchored by the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in partnership with artists from the Oakland Avenue Artists Coalition, this green alley will complement the Oakland Avenue Farmer’s Market, North End Resource Center, Oakland Avenue Cooperative Greenhouse, and Black Bottom Garden Center. Major construction is currently underway and is expected to be completed in late Spring 2025.

Urban farms and gardens are not just places to grow food; they are hubs of community activity, education, and empowerment. While the challenge remains to make these green spaces accessible to all, efforts are being made by the city to provide urban agriculture government guidance and infrastructure. In September 2023, the city of Detroit named Tepfirah Rushdan, former co-director of Keep Growing Detroit, its first director of Urban Agriculture. Over the past decade, the movement has seen substantial growth, transitioning from a few community gardens to a network of over 2,00 gardens and farms engaging nearly 20,000 Detroiters as of 2023.

Watch the webinar recording “Building Black Food Sovereignty in Detroit,” featuring shakara tyler, as part of our Preparing for the Detroit 2025 Annual Meeting webinar series.

You can register for the 2025 Annual Meeting field visit “Feeding a City: The Geography of Urban Food Systems” hosted by the Food and Agriculture Specialty Group to further explore Detroit’s urban food system landscapes.

On the Map

The Hidden Costs of Commercial Fishing: Sustaining Economies and Ecosystems

February 20, 2025

Image of a trawler boat sailing near Malta. Source: Peter Grima

Geography in the News is an educational series offered by the American Association of Geographers for teachers and students in all subjects. We include vocabulary, discussion, and assignment ideas at the end of each article.

By Adeti Afe

Fishing has been a part of human life for thousands of years, helping to feed societies while maintaining a balance in marine ecosystems. Traditional fishing usually keeps fish populations in check. But now, methods for industrial-level commercial fishing can cause serious harm to marine ecosystems. Scientists warn that some of the world’s most important fishing areas and habitats could be permanently damaged due to issues like overfishing, habitat destruction, and the problems caused by aquaculture.

Image of a static map showing fish habitats off the East and Gulf Coasts, as well as in the Caribbean Sea. Credit: NOAA — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains Fishmapper, an interactive mapping tool for examining important habitats for managed fish populations worldwide. Credit: NOAA

Overfishing disrupts the balance of marine life. When certain fish populations decline, predators lose their prey, and smaller fish can overpopulate. This creates even more problems in the ecosystem. Coral reefs, for instance, rely on fish to control the growth of algae. Without enough fish, algae can grow uncontrollably, killing the reef’s ecosystem.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that more than one-third of global fisheries are overfished. Over the past 50 years, the number of overfished areas has tripled. A major factor contributing to this is bycatch, which is the unintentional capture of animals like sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks in fishing nets. Millions of animals are killed this way each year, adding to the damage in already struggling ecosystems. Sea turtles are often caught unintentionally by getting tangled in nets and are harmed before they can be freed. Similarly, endangered species such as certain whales and dolphins suffer high mortality rates due to poor fishing practices. Bycatch damages the biodiversity necessary for healthy ecosystems.

The methods used in industrial fishing often cause harm to underwater habitats. Bottom trawling, for example, involves dragging heavy nets along the seafloor. While effective at capturing fish, this practice devastates coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are essential habitats for many marine species.

The Complex World of Fish Farming

To meet the growing global demand for seafood, many businesses have turned to aquaculture, also known as fish farming. On the surface, aquaculture appears to be a solution to overfishing, but it introduces its own set of environmental and ethical concerns. Farmed fish are often raised in overcrowded enclosures, which can lead to water pollution from waste.

Aquaculture relies heavily on fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild-caught fish, which means it continues to put pressure on already overfished stocks. Escaped farmed fish can further disrupt ecosystems by competing with native species for resources or introducing genetic and behavioral differences that harm wild populations.

Finding a Better Way

The negative effects of commercial fishing extend beyond the environment, impacting human communities. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing increases the problem. Operating outside the bounds of international and local laws, IUU fishing often targets the waters of vulnerable nations. This practice robs local fishers of their resources and disrupts efforts to maintain sustainable fishing practices.

Several actionable steps can mitigate the damage caused by commercial fishing. Stricter regulations on fish catch limits and the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) can help ecosystems recover and maintain biodiversity. MPAs provide safe zones where marine life can thrive without the pressure of fishing.

Technological advancements can also play a role by including selective fishing gear that can reduce bycatch. Consumers can make a difference by choosing sustainably sourced seafood, certified by organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Commercial fishing is essential for feeding millions of people around the world, but it comes at a cost. Our oceans, and the communities that depend on them, are under serious pressure from overfishing, habitat destruction, bycatch, and unsustainable fish farming. These practices are pushing marine ecosystems to their breaking point. The good news is that we still have a chance to make a difference. By enforcing smarter regulations, using better technology, and making informed choices as consumers, we can create a fishing industry that works well with the environment. If we act now, we can protect the health of our oceans and ensure they continue to provide for generations to come.

To get a glimpse of fish habitats and fishing areas mapped worldwide, use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Essential Fish Habitat tool.

And that is Geography in the News, updated January 31, 2024.

Material in this article comes from “Gone Fishing, or, Who Will Catch the Last One?” (1999), an original article for Geography in the News by Neal Lineback, Appalachian State University.

Sources Consulted for this Article

World Wildlife Fund. 2024. “Overfishing.” World Wildlife Fund. 2024. https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2020). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in action. FAO.
https://www.fao.org/3/ca9229en/ca9229en.pdf
Marine Stewardship Council. (n.d.). Sustainable seafood. Marine Stewardship Council. https://www.msc.org/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2019). Overfishing and the future of global fish populations. NOAA Fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing
Martinez-Porchas, Marcel, and Luis R. Martinez-Cordova. 2012. “World Aquaculture: Environmental Impacts and Troubleshooting Alternatives.” The Scientific World Journal 2012, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/389623.
2014. “Biodiversity Loss.” Parley. 2014. https://parley.tv/threats/biodiversity-loss.

Vocabulary and Terms

Overfishing: Catching fish faster than they can reproduce.
Bycatch: Sea creatures caught accidentally in fishing nets.
Bottom trawling: A harmful fishing method where nets are dragged along the ocean floor.
Aquaculture: Raising fish in farms for food, also known as fish farming.
Fishmeal: A food made from ground-up fish, often used to feed farmed fish.
IUU fishing: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing that breaks fishing laws.
Marine protected area (MPA): Parts of the ocean where fishing is restricted or banned to protect ecosystems.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): An organization that certifies seafood as sustainable.

Questions for Discussion and Further Study

What are some of the main environmental issues caused by commercial fishing, and how do they affect marine life?
The article mentions how overfishing impacts local fishing communities and their ability to make a living. How do you think these communities might respond?
Do you believe fish farming could be a solution to overfishing? Why or why not?
What actions can governments, companies, and individuals take to make commercial fishing more sustainable for future generations?

Edward Babin

Dr. Edward Babin, a long-time professor at the University of South Carolina, Upstate (USC), died Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Spartanburg, SC.

He received his B.A. degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette in 1965, a master’s degree in Geography from the University of Arkansas in 1967, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Georgia in 1974.

He taught geography at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette from 1968 to 1973. Dr. Babin joined USC Upstate as Professor of Geography from 1974 to 2015. He served as chair of the department twice.

Ed was born on August 29, 1944, the only child of Clarence and Helen Ourso Babin in Donaldsonville, LA.

Ed married Joanne Tinie Walsh on March 18, 1989, at Jesus, Our Risen Savior Catholic Church and was her devoted husband. They had no children. After marrying, Ed and Joanne became members of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church where Ed was an usher there for many years. He greeted parishioners at the door at both daily and Sunday Masses and enjoyed this ministry more than any other service he performed in the church.

In about 2013, Ed also started the senior singles’ luncheon for parishioners who found themselves single for one reason or another. This became a great place for newcomers to the parish to meet longtime members.

Ed became a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order on April 5, 1995, which was a lifetime commitment to an international lay religious order in the Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of the St. Michael the Archangel Fraternity and served as its first minister for two terms.

Ed was an avid reader on many geographical topics and loved to discuss these with others. He had a dry sense of humor and a quick wit and loved to tell jokes and stories. He loved pets and had many special dogs and two cats in his lifetime. Among the dogs were Angel, Pepita, and Pixie, whom he loved to walk with through the neighborhood and greet the neighbors.

He grew tomatoes in his garden for many years and gave away tomatoes to others generously. He did his own yard work and earned “Yard of the Month” in the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association several times.

In addition to his wife, Joanne, Edward is survived by his cousins, Jay Landry (Verlein) of Donaldsonville, LA, and “Sport” Le Blanc (Cacki) of Baton Rouge, LA; siblings-in-law, Marilyn Walsh (Ed Laskarzewski) of Glastonbury, CT, William “Bill” E. Walsh (Winnie), Marshall T. Walsh (Debbie), and Sara O. Walsh, David L. Walsh, all of Spartanburg, SC, and Natalie W. Bishop of Nashville, TN; along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, T. Walsh.

This memorial, which originally ran on the J.F. Floyd mortuary website, was reprinted with permission.

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John S. Adams

John S. Adams, or JSA to those who knew him, was an urban economic geographer at the University of Minnesota. As a researcher, he studied the relationships between housing markets and policy, land use, and transportation in North American metropolitan areas. As a teacher, he taught classes on urban economics, transportation and land use, geography of the Twin Cities, and regional courses on North America and Russia. As a mentor, he advised dozens of graduate students, supporting them through research assistantships, an openness to whatever topic they chose to study, and continuing to be a source of guidance well after graduation. As an administrator, he was happy to take his turn as Department Chair (multiple times), President of the AAG, the first director and later the associate dean of the Humphrey School of Planning, and wherever else he was needed.

While JSA’s academic studies began in economics, he, like so many of us, took a class in geography and was hooked. After finishing his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, he taught at Penn State for three years before returning to Minnesota, where he taught for an astonishing 37 years. He spent time at many other institutions as a visiting scholar during that time, including UC Berkeley, Bank of America world headquarters, Moscow State University, and the U.S. Military Academy. During this time, he investigated housing policy and economics across North America, as well as developing a history of the quantitative revolution in urban geography.

Much of his research focused on the Twin Cities, including the Transportation and Regional Growth Study, funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, and the Center for Transportation Studies — a somewhat unlikely coalition to support research in the social sciences but reflective of JSA’s integrative approach to understanding the world. He was keen on producing research that was relevant to policymakers and planners in the region — many of whom he also had as students. The Center for Transportation Studies on the University of Minnesota campus established an award in 2009 in his honor for graduate students in planning and public policy, reflecting his contributions to interdisciplinary collaboration and policy-relevant research.

JSA was endlessly curious about the world. He was always asking people to share their stories with him, whether it was where they were from, where their family was from, or what they were interested in. He taught his graduate students that one of the best ways to do research was simply to ask people what they did for a living or what they thought of something, especially when it came to people like government bureaucrats whose stories often weren’t told. Field work was also essential: part of graduate student orientation at Minnesota was a field trip around the Twin Cities led by JSA and Professor Judith Martin, introducing students to their new home through a geographic lens. His willingness to strike up a conversation with anyone was especially on display during the field courses that he led across North America, Europe, and Russia for graduate and undergraduate students, along with his dedication to service no matter where he might be:

On a 1995 field study to cities of the U.S. Midwest and Southeast, it had been another long day of studying urban structure and change. Nobody knew why JSA stopped the van in the left turn lane of a busy thoroughfare during afternoon rush hour and got out of the driver’s seat, until we saw him dragging a fallen streetlight over to the curb and out of the lanes of oncoming traffic. Horns were honking, people were gawking, and we were kind of concerned that he might get electrocuted. But the image was perfect — “Citizen Adams,” in his signature plaid short-sleeve shirt and khakis, taking charge of Nashville’s “crumbling infrastructure” and “apathetic citizenry.”

Last but not least, JSA cared deeply about the institutions of higher education and of geography, arguing that higher education helps build a healthy foundation for the future of our country. He was a strong advocate for regular participation in departmental life and contributions beyond research and teaching. He argued for regular attendance at weekly departmental colloquia, in part to be well informed on the state-of-the-art of geographic research, but also to connect with students and faculty across the department as well as visiting speakers. Similarly, he advocated regular attendance at both national and regional AAG meetings, to hear about cutting edge research but also to learn about the state of the discipline in other departments and as a whole. He enjoyed introducing current and former students to each other, keeping the network of Minnesota alumni active through in-person meetings and also his family newsletter (always sent via the USPS). His sense of humor, concern for students and colleagues, and deep commitment to service are as much his legacy as his research and teaching, for geographers across Minnesota and around the world.

This memorial was prepared by Julie Cidell, Professor and Department Head of the Department of Geography & GIS at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Laura Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Macalester College.

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News

Chief Operating Officer Candida Mannozzi Retires December 31

December 13, 2024

Candida Mannozzi

We are saddened to say goodbye to Candida Mannozzi, Chief Operating Officer of the Association, who will retire on December 31 for health reasons. For more than 16 years at the AAG, Candida applied her considerable skills in leadership and administration, steering the organization through multiple changes and challenges, and always seeking out new opportunities to advance the geographic discipline. Through it all, she has kept a steady hand on the AAG’s day-to-day operations and served as a vital staff liaison to the AAG Council and more than 20 volunteer committees. Her dedication to a world where difference can be celebrated and accomplishments recognized is especially prominent in how she led the AAG’s extensive honors and awards program.

“It’s hard to imagine the AAG without Candida’s wit, dedication, and tenacity,” says Executive Director Gary Langham. “Her unique ability to manage thorny situations while building trust and respect will be sorely missed. We will honor her service and dedication by sustaining the systems and organization that she made better every day.”

Candida’s tenure at the AAG included service to past Executive Director Douglas Richardson and stepping in as Interim Director for several months in 2019, pending the arrival of Executive Director Gary Langham. Her comprehensive knowledge of the organization has been the through-line in her ability to preside over change and create continuity at the AAG from 2008 until now. In keeping with her background in international affairs, she built relationships with international partners across all sectors, and managed multi-million-dollar projects with the U.S. State Department and U.S. AID.

Born in Rome, Italy, Candida is truly a citizen of the world. She speaks at least a half-dozen languages and began her career in East and Central Europe, just after the Berlin Wall fell. She experienced the establishment of the Czech Republic first-hand, and she developed some of its first U.S. and Western European opportunities in post-Iron Curtain Europe, arranging for academic exchanges and counseling Czech students seeking academic experience overseas. She also spent more than three years as production manager for a news and broadcasting company in the new Czech Republic, producing daily regional news, sports, and documentary reports at the same time as she directed personnel, managed operations, and prioritized work assignments among teams.

Candida’s career in the United States began at the Institute of International Education. In 2001 she took a leap to open her own bookstore in Washington, D.C., Candida’s World of Books, which soon became a go-to source for unique travel books, maps, and cultural events. When the bookstore closed in 2008, the local news source DCist remembered it this way:

Candida’s [World of Books] had a niche, and its niche was “travel,” for want of a better word. But referring to Candida’s as a “travel” bookstore didn’t really do justice to what it offered. Sure, you could go there and pick up the latest Fodor’s or Lonely Planet guide, or maps and other travel necessities (such as journals or empty scrapbooks that invited your filling them with your observations or artifacts you discovered)….But it’s also where you could find a knowledgeable staff that knew the difference between mere “guidebooks” and travel books, and who could in turn direct you to some of the best travel narratives on whatever region you were planning to visit or wanting to know more about.”

—Shawn Westfall, DCist, February 11, 2008

Candida’s love of travel and adventure is one of many delightful traits we will miss at the AAG offices. She always came back from her travels with stories of diving in Belize and visiting family in her native Italy. During the AAG’s most recent meeting in Hawai‘i, Candida embraced the chance to learn everything she could about the island of O‘ahu’s historic and sacred touchstones. She was often the first of the staff to be awake in the morning, ready to squeeze in a hike or a swim before the day’s business began.

Risha RaQuelle, Chief Strategy Officer, noted recently that Candida often signs off on her calls with the phrase “Bye for now.” It’s a cheery, comforting phrase, and that’s how we’d like to consider this goodbye to Candida, our deeply esteemed and treasured colleague.

Bye for now, Candida. Thank you for your leadership.

Please feel free to share your experiences in a curated space specially created for Candida. We know she will treasure your testimony. Share your thoughts

Careers

Program Profile: University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire – Department of Geography & Anthropology

December 9, 2024

In 2024, AAG recognized the Department of Geography and Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire (UWEC) with the AAG Award for Bachelor Program Excellence. We asked Ryan Weichelt, a UWEC alumnus and current department chair, what makes the program stand out. He shares three key reasons how the department continues to evolve and meet the needs of the students, workforce, and discipline: promotion of geography and collegiality across campus, pursuit of scholarship, and excellence in instruction.

Cross-Campus Collaboration

Drs. Faulkner and Hilgendorf greeting 1st year students on the first day of classes at UWEC.

In 2014, the Department of Geography and Anthropology developed the Geospatial Analysis and Technology major to integrate geospatial technologies across disciplines in direct cooperation with public and private stakeholders, highlighted in a publication by Esri Press “Extending Into STEM: The Geospatial Education Initiative.” The major quickly gained momentum.

During this period, the department began to partner closely with the university to become a hub for geospatial technology and expand its reach into various programs on campus, including biology, computer science, and data science. Geospatial technology has distinguished the department on campus ever since, and facilitates significant research opportunities. For instance, faculty and students have collaborated with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to leverage geospatial technologies in understanding and improving healthcare across the country. The interdisciplinary nature of these technologies “has shown how geography can play a role in understanding healthcare and making [it] available for more people,” says Dr. Weichelt.

While the department’s largest major is environmental studies, the geospatial program has driven numerous cross-campus collaborations. Biology and geology students frequently enroll in numerous certificate programs, leading to new majors and fostering a collaborative academic environment. The geospatial technology program has opened doors for interdisciplinary research and attracted new students who wish to work in archaeology, climate science, resource planning, or conservation.

Pursuit of Scholarship: “Geography is Everything”

The department offers a diverse range of classes and Liberal Education (LE) core components, akin to General Education in other institutions. Dr. Weichelt expresses the department’s pride in the breadth of curriculum, encompassing physical geography, technology, and cultural studies. The versatility of courses enables staff and students to provide extensive service to the university, supporting its growth and attracting prospective majors.

This commitment to geography as an all-encompassing discipline underscores the departmental belief that “geography is everything.”

Cross-campus collaboration also attracts new students, supporting other department efforts, such as incorporating GIS into non-geospatial classes, and renaming introductory classes to clarify that they belong to a series: “Planet Earth, Human Geography,” “Planet Earth, Physical Geography,” “Planet Earth, Cultural Geography,” and so on. Equipped with three state-of-the-art computer labs, the department can offer students a state-of-the-art computing experience, with support from alumni grants and donations and the university, which provides geospatial lab modernization funds every two years. Students across the university can access these dedicated spaces to get direct experience with remote sensing, GIS, and other geospatial tools.

Fieldwork is also a critical component of UWEC’s curriculum. “Many of our classes require field components, not just the physical geography classes, [but also] those like tourism geographies, urban geographies, and Indigenous geographies courses,” says Dr. Weichelt.

Students have field work opportunities with their professors in the United States, internationally, or remotely. Dr. Harry Jol, for example, conducts ground-penetrating radar (GPR) research globally and recently took students to Lithuania to study Holocaust sites. Dr. Douglas Faulkner, a fluvial geomorphologist and recipient of the 2019 Gilbert Grosvenor Award, brings students to local rivers like the Chippewa, Eau Claire, and Red Cedar Rivers. Dr. Papia Rozario collaborates with colleagues across the U.S. on remote sensing and AI research, analyzing precision agriculture data obtained with drones.

A standout course, Geography 368, mandates 7 to 12-day field expeditions for all students. Even during the COVID-19 campus closures, students in the course adapted by researching sustainable city exploration via bicycles. Students also must complete 30 hours of community service before graduation. The geography club’s “Missing Maps” program allows students to apply their geospatial skills while fulfilling this requirement, making meaningful contributions to communities across the globe.

Excellence in Instruction: Strengthening Department Culture

Dr. Weichelt praises the numerous younger faculty members the department has hired in recent years. They help to foster a more cohesive and collaborative environment, enhancing the program’s longstanding tradition and continuously updating curriculum to address Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) issues, particularly how geographers and geography can contribute to solving these critical questions. This is upheld by an Anti-Racist Statement wrote and approved in 2020, in addition to the University’s EDI Goals.

As the state grapples with challenges to campus justice and equity initiatives, the department is using scholarships to help bridge gaps for diverse students, while adhering to new state regulations. For example, six first-year students interested in majoring in geography are eligible to apply for the George Simpson Incoming Student Scholarship, ranging from $1,000 up to $1,500.

Faculty are active in campus organizations and programs that advocate for diversity and inclusion such as the Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Program and American Indian Studies. This commitment to inclusivity and support is mirrored in the department’s vibrant student life. From a strong geography club, welcome parties and celebrations, mentorship opportunities, and speaker series presentations, connecting with students “always been a tradition here.” The level of attention to maintaining and strengthening the department culture in turn strengthens the discipline and future geographers.

UW Eau Claire’s Department of Geography and Anthropology exemplifies excellence not only through its award-winning programs but also through its dedication to student success and inclusivity. By fostering a supportive and dynamic environment, the department ensures that its graduates are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the modern world, making significant contributions to the field of geography and beyond.

John Fraser Hart

John Fraser Hart, a towering figure in American geography whose career spanned more than seven decades of active research, teaching, and service to the profession, passed away October 14, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin, at age 100. A meticulous and productive researcher, he authored scores of articles that appeared in the leading journals of geography. Among his books were The Look of the Land (Prentice Hall 1975), The Land that Feeds Us (Norton 1991), and The Changing Scale of American Agriculture (University of Virginia 2003).

Born and raised in southern Virginia and educated at Emory University (A.B. 1943), he returned following his wartime enlistment in the U.S. Navy and enrolled in classes at the University of Georgia in Athens. There he encountered academic geography and was soon recruited into the profession by the department head, Merle Prunty. Hart went on to Northwestern University, earning his Ph.D. in 1950, and also served on the faculty at Georgia.

The research to which he returned time and again over his long career focused on the land and how people used it. His doctoral dissertation, on hill sheep farming in southern Scotland, was a masterpiece of insight and sensitive description. As the years passed, Hart focused his research almost exclusively on the United States and he became increasingly drawn to questions of economic modernization on the farm. He was early to recognize the massive changes that were taking place both in Southern agriculture (“Land Use Change in a Piedmont County,” Annals of the AAG 70(1980) 492-527) and the Corn Belt (“Half a Century of Cropland Change,” Geographical Review 91(2002) 525-543).

He also contributed to national policy debates over the conversion of agricultural land to urban use (“Urban Encroachment on Rural Areas,” Geographical Review 66(1976) 1 – 17). Hart showed that land which went out of agricultural production was actually a surplus in terms of what was needed to maintain farm production. Urban uses were a comparatively less important reason for land conversion. His studies of land use change on the urban fringe typically involved field work and, more often than not, led to lasting acquaintances with the individuals whose farms he studied.

He served on the faculties at Indiana University (1955-1967) and the University of Minnesota (1967-2015) while making prodigious contributions to the American Association of Geographers and to the profession in general. From 1970 through 1980 he was editor of the Annals of the AAG, and regional councilor, vice president, and president of the AAG. In his AAG presidential address, “The Highest Form of the Geographer’s Art” (Annals of the AAG, 72(1982) 1-29, Hart made the case for why regional study has been so important in geography and why it should continue.

Fraser Hart remained a steadfast advocate for geography, geographers, and good scholarship throughout his career. He was a visible, approachable presence at every AAG annual meeting and at West Lakes and Southeast Division meetings until he was past his 90th year. When he retired from the University of Minnesota in 2015, he was the last member of the university’s faculty who had served in World War II.

He was predeceased by his wife, Meredith, and is survived by his children Laird (Kathie) Hart of Washington, D.C., and Anne Hart (Andy van Duym) of Madison, Wisconsin, and by his grandchildren, Dirk and Raina.

This memorial was contributed by Dr. John C. Hudson, professor emeritus of geography, Northwestern University.

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H.L. Sy Seyler

Dr. H.L. “Sy” Seyler was born on April 3, 1941, on a farm near Blue Mound, Kansas, the son of Oren and Catherine Barker Seyler. He passed away on October 15, 2024, in Manhattan, Kansas. For 30 years he was associate professor of geography at Kansas State University (KSU), where he directed the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program for many years and was a member of the Kansas Academy of Science. In the 1980s, his interest in personal computers’ applications to geography led him to customize and network several PCs instead of mainframes for mapping and other functions. This led to him being one of the founders of the Geographic Information Systems Spatial Analysis Laboratory (GISSAL) in 1990.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in geography from KSU the future Dr. Seyler served for two years as a radar operator aboard the USS Whitfield County (LST-1169) during operations in the South China Sea. One of his duties was as postmaster for the amphibious squadron to which his ship was assigned; this involved many trips ashore in South Vietnam.

He returned to KSU for an M.S. in geography and went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Indiana, Bloomington. The next 1990s were the most productive of his career, as he trained many graduate and undergraduate students in the theory and practice of GIS. His mentorship and dedication to service created the establishment of the Seyler Undergraduate GIScience Scholarship at Kansas State. This scholarship recognizes his nearly three decades of professional service and contributions to the advancement of geography and geographic information science.

Following retirement, Dr. Seyler spent most summers in the Eastern Sierra of California, where he entertained family and friends. He was a passionate fan of KSU sports; many were amazed by his encyclopedic memory regarding players, coaches, scouting reports, and statistics. His wife Carolyn preceded him in death. He is survived by his son Lynn, daughter-in-law, (Cristina) and two grandchildren, (Garrett and Colleen) all of Overland Park, KS.

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On the Map

History Painted in Place: Detroit Murals Map and Guide

November 26, 2024

"Power to the People" mural captured in an image from above on Woodward Avenue in Detroit; Source: Joe Gall, courtesy Hubert Massey and Detroit Heals Detroit

Just weeks after Detroit was named #4 in the United States for the creation of beautiful murals, the city’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) took on the task of putting the city at number one. To accomplish this, in 2022 the city launched a mural map and app to identify every mural and artist in the city, based on hundreds of curated murals and biographies of artists.

This initiative builds on a rich legacy of mural art in Detroit. Mural art has left its mark as far back to the early 1930s, capturing almost 100 years of history in Detroit. As the city struggled through the transition of the Great Depression, the prominent Mexican painter and muralist Diego Rivera was commissioned by the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) to capture the energy of Detroit’s distinctive automotive, steel, and other industries. Often considered to be the most complex artworks devoted to American Industry, Rivera’s “Detroit Industry” murals depict the city’s manufacturing base and labor force on 27 panels, spanning all four walls of the DIA’s Diego Court.

Grand in scope and scale, the paintings celebrate Detroit’s auto factories and depict men of all races side by side on an assembly line. Rivera’s technique for painting frescoes, his portrayal of American life on public buildings, and the 1920s Mexican Mural Movement led to and influenced the New Deal mural programs of the 1930s and 1940s, in addition to the future generation of artists in the city.

The main two panels of his series draw inspiration from Ford’s River Rouge Plant, where Rivera toured and sketched for months before creating large-scale tributes to their workers along with a blend of critique and celebration of the forces of industry. He also blended ancient Aztec symbolism into his modernist treatment, creating allegorical figures to portray the complex relationship of human and machine.

A view of the south wall of the Diego Rivera Detroit Industry mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts

A view of the north wall of the Diego Rivera Detroit Industry mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Institute of Arts’ Research Library, Archives, and Collection Information department holds the digitization of a collection of existing 8 x 10-inch (large format) nitrate photo negatives, which were taken in 1932–33 to document the making of Diego Rivera’s “Detroit Industry” murals. Their digitization preserves the history of the murals and makes the images accessible to the public. In addition, the film that Ford Motor Company’s team made of the artist at work is now accessible on the National Archives website.

Hubert Massey is a contemporary muralist whose work is inspired by 1960s- and ’70s-era activism and the art of Diego Rivera, having studied with former Rivera apprentices Stephen Dimitroff and Lucienne Bloch. In 2020, Massey worked with twenty Detroit teens to create a street mural in the Lower Woodward neighborhood, celebrating the phrase “Power to the People” and the Black Lives Matter movement spreading worldwide.

Massey works in the fresco technique and is the only known African American commissioned fresco artist in America. He has also produced work in the mediums of mosaic, terrazzo, sculpture, stained glass, and other material. You can find his work across Detroit’s Mexicantown, Greektown, the Cultural Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Athletic Club, among other places.

Girl with the D Earring mural; Source: Zoyes Creative — “Girl with the D Earring” mural; Source: Zoyes Creative

Sydney G. James is another Detroit artist who has contributed large-scale work to the city. A Black figurative painter and public art muralist, she pays homage to the city and emphasizes the deep connection between her art and Detroit, highlighting how murals serve as vibrant expressions of identity and community. Her work not only beautifies the urban landscape but also tells the stories of the people and the place that inspire her.

One of her most notable works is “Girl with the D Earring,” an 8,000 square-foot painting of a Black woman, on Grand Boulevard from Woodward Avenue into Milwaukee Junction. This work re-envisions Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” “It’s one woman,” James told Hour Detroit. “But she represents Detroit in general. ‘Girl with the D Earring’ is a celebration of the city and a celebration of its people.”

“Detroit Never Left” mural; Courtesy Sheefy McFly’s website

Musician and visual artist, Sheefy McFly’s “Detroit Never Left” mural, located at Gratiot and Chene near Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market, is a nod to the idea of Detroit having a “resurgence.” The painting depicts a party full of Detroiters: a man jitting—a dance style that was born in Detroit–with a woman twerking (a dance move perfected in New Orleans in the 1990s, with origins in West African dance), a radio, and a Black man wearing a Cartier watch and a blue “D” hat, exuding an authentic Detroit. McFly told The Michigan Chronicle that “anyone from Detroit that walks by can identify with the mural.” His style blends Neo-Expressionism and Pop Art with a Detroit twist that reflects the cultural and social dynamics of Detroit, capturing the city’s spirit and history.

Public art is a form of creative place making, which further deepens connection with places where we live, work, and play.

The vibrant murals of Detroit are more than just artistic expressions; they are a testament to the city’s rich history, diverse culture, and dynamic geography. By intertwining art with public spaces, the city’s murals not only beautify the landscape but also celebrate the unique cultural tapestry that defines this iconic American city.

Explore Detroit’s murals in the city’s interactive map. Filter by year, artist, name, or location.