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Geography Convention

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.

Convention Officers
50th Convention Officer (March 2019)
Club Members with AAG President
Geography Convention Banquet - Club members and the AAG President Dr. Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach (March 2019)

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