The Department is pleased to offer the following awards to our undergraduate and graduate students as well as our faculty and staff. Nominations for the awards are collected in the spring and the awards are given during the department end-of-year celebration.
Outstanding Undergraduate Award (Geography)
The Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Geography will be provided to a student who has achieved outstanding academic accomplishments in Geography throughout their time at UTK. They will have a high GPA (3.75-4.00). They will have participated in UTAGS and assumed (informal/formal) leadership positions in the Department, including but not limited to a leadership position in UTAGS, and played an important role in organizing or participating in student events in the Department. Doing research or participating in events where they presented their research will also be considered in addition to other leadership credentials.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.
Outstanding Undergraduate Award (Sustainability)
The Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Sustainability will be provided to a student who has achieved outstanding academic accomplishments in Sustainability throughout their time at UTK. They will have a high GPA (3.75-4.00). They will have participated in UTAGS and assumed (informal/formal) leadership positions in the Department, including but not limited to a leadership position in UTAGS, and playing an important role in organizing or participating in student events in the Department. Doing research or participating in events where they presented their research will also be considered in addition to other leadership credentials.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The nominations will be considered by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.
Outstanding Research Award
The Outstanding Research Award will be issued to an undergraduate student who has engaged in either long-term research or multiple research projects under the guidance of one or several faculty members. These research projects will be undertaken in addition to regular coursework and class assignments. Students who are considered for this award may have received funded research grants and will have presented their research at different conferences and events.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The nominations will be considered by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.
Exceptional Outreach Award
The Exceptional Outreach Award will be issued to an undergraduate student who has been involved in important and multiple outreach activities on Campus and/or in the Knoxville Community throughout their time at UTK.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The nominations will be considered by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.
Bruce Ralston Geospatial Achievement Award
The Bruce Ralston Geospatial Achievement Award is reserved for a student who has participated in and contributed meaningfully to a GIS-related research project and/or promotes the use of geospatial science to others via GIS outreach activities, tutoring/helping others in understanding and using GIS.
Bruce Ralston is a well-known scholar in Transportation Geography and Geographic Information Systems and has been recognized with a number of university and national awards for his excellence in teaching and scholarships. In 2010, he was named the Mace Bearer, the highest faculty award at the university and in 2013 was recognized by the UT Institute for Public Service with its Faculty Excellence Award. He is also a nationally recognized author of books about GIS and is a programmer of widely used software that assists in the use of public domain data in mapping and analysis.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The nominations will be considered by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.
The Michelle Pfeffer Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
The Geography Department at the University of Tennessee named its outstanding undergraduate award in honor of Michelle “Chell” Pfeffer, a beloved geography undergraduate who passed away due to complications from leukemia. Ms. Pfeffer was known for her passion for environmental causes, and she sought to educate people about environmental issues. The award that carries her name is reserved for a Geography or Sustainability undergraduate student who, in addition to performing well academically, shows a similarly high level of engagement in promoting the importance of a geographic perspective and a commitment to making a difference in the wider world of ideas and issues.
Any student who has been in the undergraduate program for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, including the semester the award is given) is eligible. Students are eligible for this award only once during their undergraduate graduate study in the Department. The Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee solicits nominations for the award. The nominations will be considered by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The Geography Department reserves the right not to make the award when there is an absence of qualified student candidates.