Skip to main content

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, Apr. 4 through Friday, Apr. 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.

50th Convention Officer (March 2019)
Club Members with AAG President

Convention Schedule (2024)

Day 1 - Thursday, Apr. 4 (Student Day, Volstorff Ballroom, University Student Union)

8:55 a.m. – Convention Welcome

9 a.m.-noon – Student Paper and Poster Presentations, Judging 10 a.m.-noon

1-4 p.m. - Geography and Geospatial Sciences Career Fair

6-9 p.m. - Social at Old Firehouse, 310 4th St., Brookings, SD 57006

Day 2 - Friday, April 5 (Volstorff Ballroom, University Student Union)

8:55 a.m. – Welcome, Natalie Toben, Geography Club President

9 a.m. - Dr. Michaela Buenemann, New Mexico State University

  • Title: Beyond the Buzz: Geospatial Insights for Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance and Management, Dr. Lee Opheim Lectureship

10 a.m.- Dr. Christina Dando, University of Nebraska, Omaha

  • Title: "The Map is Hers": Women, Maps and Copyright in Early Twentieth Century United States, Dr. John Fraser Hart Lectureship

11 a.m. - Lauri B. Hotovy Sohl, South Dakota State University and City of Sioux Falls

  • Title: Evolution of a Geographer and Enabling a Smart City

noon-1 p.m. - Lunch

1 p.m. - Dr. Aida Guhlincozzi, University of Missouri

  • Title: Healthcare Access for Vulnerable Populations and the Potential of Rural Geography, Dr. Edward P. Hogan, Lectureship

2 p.m. - Dr. Zach Hilgendorf, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

  • Title: Restoration and Geography: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Quantifying Environmental Restoration Efficacy in Anthropogenically - Altered Systems.

3 p.m. - Dr. Patrick Bitterman, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

  • Title: When Models Meet Reality:  Navigating the Collaborative Modeling Process in Search of Sustainable Policies.

4-5 p.m. - Break

Day 2 - Friday, April 5 (Woster Alumni Hall)

5 p.m. - Happy Hour

6 p.m. - Dinner

6:30 p.m. - Dr. Rebecca Lave, President, American Association of Geographers

  • Title: Reciprocal Geographies: Changing Our Vision of Science in the Service of the Public.

7:30 p.m. - Student and Alumni Awards

9 p.m. - Closing Remarks by Natalie Toben, Geography Club President