The South Dakota State Geography Convention is the longest running student organized and sponsored annual meeting in the United States. Approximately ten eminent academic and applied geographers from around the region, the country and Canada are invited to make presentations at the conference each spring. The Convention also features social activities, a Gamma Theta Upsilon initiation and an awards banquet. Field trips are provided on occasion.
The 55th Geography Convention will be held Thursday, April 4 through Friday, April 5, 2024. The goal of the convention is to gather current students, alumni of the Geography Department, academic and applied geographers from around the region and share knowledge and enthusiasm for geography through professional presentations, discussions and social activities.
55th South Dakota State Geography Convention Schedule (2024)
Day 1 - Thursday, April 4 (Student Day, Volstorff Ballroom, SDSU Student Union)
8:55am – Convention Welcome
9:00am - 12:00pm – Student Paper & Poster Presentations, Judging 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Poster Judges: Dr. Bruce Millett Dr. Hankui Zhang Dr. Dapeng Li
6:00pm - 9:00pm- Social at Old Firehouse, 310 4th St., Brookings, SD 57006
Day 2 - Friday, April 5 (Volstorff Ballroom, SDSU Student Union)
8:55 a.m. – Welcome
9:00 a.m. – Dr. John Harner, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Title: Re-centering the concept of "Place" in geography: A Colorado Springs example
10:00 a.m. – Dr. Ryan Weichelt, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Title: Combating Disinformation in Politics Through Spatial Thinking
11:00 a.m. – Dr. Mason Maimaitijang, South Dakota State University, Title: When AI meets UAV Remote Sensing: Crop monitoring in support of sustainable agriculture and food security.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Dr. Robert Shepard, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Title: Atlas as a Radical Act
2:00 p.m. – Ms. Jesslyn Brown, EROS, Title: Land Cover and Land Cover Change Seen from Both Sides Now
3:00 p.m. – GIS Workshop with Dr. Joseph Kerski, ESRI, Wecota Hall 100, Prior registration required.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. – Break
South Dakota State Geography Convention Banquet, Woster Alumni Hall
5:00 p.m. – Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
6:30 p.m. – Dr. Joseph Kerski, ESRI, 5 Forces, 5 Trends, and 5 Skills Critical to Geography in the 2020's
7:30 p.m. – Student and Alumni Awards
9:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks by Kaila Brudelie, Geography Club President