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Welcome to the Department of Geography at Northern Michigan University!

Each fall the faculty and staff look forward to the year ahead as we return to campus to prepare our syllabi and lectures, and wrap up our summer projects. The department prides itself on a strong dedication to students and service to the local community, as well as its reputation as experts in our region. We believe in providing a broad, yet rigorous academic background tempered with many field experiences, internships opportunities, and thoughtful advising and mentoring. These traditions are continually reaffirmed as the academic year unfolds.

This past summer has certainly seen many changes in the Department. Dr. Michael Broadway has taken a position as Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and he is also serving as the Interim Director of the Honor’s Program. The Department thanks him for his many years of service and wishes him good luck in his new position. Also starting this fall, Dr. Sundell will begin serving as the chapter president of the AAUP for the next two years. Many of his courses will be taught by Dr. Linah Ababneh, PhD. 2006 Arizona, who was hired this August. Matthew Leisch, a PhD student from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cameron Fuess, BS 99 NMU Geography and owner of Greenstone Mapping, will be also be teaching in the department as adjunct instructors this fall.

If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by the department office (3001 New Science) if you are on campus, or give us a call at (906) 227-2500.

Dr. John B. Anderton
Professor and Interim Head
Department of Geography
Northern Michigan University

Alum Part of Nobel Prize Team

Frederick "Fritz" Nelson '73, professor of geography at the University of Delaware and 2007 NMU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus, is a member of a group working within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. IPCC, a science body advising the United Nations on the dangers of global warming, was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme in recognition of the impacts on permafrost to the 2007 IPCC report. More on Dr. Nelson (pdf) Fritz Nelson AAG membership profile

Alum Part of Nobel Prize Team

Nelson

Dr. Frederick Nelson

Frederick "Fritz" Nelson '73, professor of geography at the University of Delaware and 2007 NMU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus, is a member of a group working within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. IPCC, a science body advising the United Nations on the dangers of global warming, was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme in recognition of the impacts on permafrost to the 2007 IPCC report. More on Dr. Nelson (pdf) Fritz Nelson AAG membership profile

Ways to Get Involved


NMU Rock & Mineral Club	Superior Geography Club	Gamma Theta Upsilon

News and Information

	NMU geography professor Richard Eathorne recently presented on undergraduate teaching strategies for an introduction to geographic research course at the Geography in the Americas Conference in Chile this summer. More on his trip

	Northern’s All-Campus Tutoring Center will offer several geography course study groups for the fall semester. One-on-one and walk-in tutoring sessions are also available. All-Campus Tutoring

Students Selected to Present
Fall 2008; NMU geography students work towards presenting at a regional Canadian Association of Geographers and American Association of Geographers conference in St. Catharines, Ontario. Senior Kevin Christensen will be presenting work on palaeoshorelines and ancient human settlement in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Congratulations to the Department of Geography outstanding graduating senior, Heather Naigus of Marquette. Michigan

Students Selected to Present

Pictured Rocks Fall 2008; NMU geography students work towards presenting at a regional Canadian Association of Geographers and American Association of Geographers conference in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Senior Kevin Christensen will be presenting work on palaeoshorelines and ancient human settlement in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Congratulations to the Department of Geography outstanding graduating senior, Heather Naigus of Marquette. Michigan

Career Options
What can you do with a major in geography? All kinds of things. Some career fields that recruit geography graduates include business, international organizations, environmental organizations and the tourism industry. Full list Learn more Geography programs

Career Options

Beach What can you do with a major in geography? All kinds of things. Some career fields that recruit geography graduates include business, international organizations, environmental organizations and the tourism industry.

Three Types of Geography
There are two main branches of geography: human and physical. Physical geography is concerned with the earth’s natural systems and how they both impact and are impacted by humans. Human geography is concerned with spatial expressions of people. A third, and increasingly important, component of geographical study is geographic information science; this includes techniques, such as geographical information systems, remote sensing, cartography and global positioning. These techniques are used by human and physical geographers to study and explain spatial patterns.

Three Types of Geography

globe There are two main branches of geography: human and physical. Physical geography is concerned with the earth’s natural systems and how they both impact and are impacted by humans. Human geography is concerned with spatial expressions of people. A third, and increasingly important, component of geographical study is geographic information science; this includes techniques, such as geographical information systems, remote sensing, cartography and global positioning. These techniques are used by human and physical geographers to study and explain spatial patterns.