News and Events:

Spotlight on Geography majors – Spring 2009 (Apr-Jun)
Samantha Lofton, Senior (expected graduation May 2009)

1. How did you get into geography?

I definitely took my time and explored many different fields before falling into geography.  I tried environmental science, geology, sociology and education, and geography felt like the right mixture of environment and people studies.  I also love to travel!

2. Accomplishments and pursuits:

I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a few organizations as an officer: OSU Environmental Science Club, OSU Soil and Water Conservation Association, and OSU Student Oklahoma Education Association.  And recently I was selected to receive the 2009 Outstanding Geography Senior Award!

3. How did you obtain your internship in Wichita/Sedgwick County and what did you get out of that experience?

I applied for the Wichita/Sedgwick County Advanced Planning Internship through an announcement by Dr. Jon Comer and was accepted after a series of telephone interviews.  I learned an enormous amount about city planning during the course of the summer and also about government on both a city and county level.  I got the chance to apply a lot of my GIS, cartography, and aerial photograph analysis skills as well as writing and distributing community surveys.  I was unsure how I was going to perform in this internship, but I was extremely thankful for all the hands-on experience I had received in my previous geography courses.  

4. What are your plans after graduation?

My husband and I will be relocating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana after graduation so that he can start his PhD program and I am actively looking for a job.  I feel that I have a very diverse educational background, and I am confident that I will find something worthwhile and enjoyable.

5. Is there anything else about yourself that others might find interesting?

Samantha at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, China in the summer of 2006; it is the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing.

Spotlight on Geography Majors - Winter 2009 (Jan-Mar)
Peter Wood, Junior (expected graduation May 2010)

Currently studying abroad in Granada, Spain - Spring 2009
Added: 9 March 2009 

1. How did you get into geography?

“I have always had at least some interest in maps, and the world as a whole intrigues me, so one day I decided to try out geography as a major. Honestly, I did little premeditative thought or anything, I just picked geography because I enjoy culture and world diversity on a number of levels.”

2. Accomplishments and pursuits:

“I am currently pursuing two degrees, an Honors Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with a Spanish minor. I am also a member of the OSU Cross Country and track teams, and a contributing writer to the Daily O’Collegian.”

3. How did you choose Granada, Spain for your study abroad program?  

“Essentially I wanted to study in a Spanish-speaking country since I was in middle school, and finally I took the incentive to do some planning and make a semester abroad work out. Picking a location was the biggest obstacle, and since I wanted to live in so many cities I ended up choosing one that seemed “authentically” Spanish, was big enough to have an interesting city life to explore, small enough to have places to run and near a variety of landscapes. Granada, being near the Atlantic coast and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, ended up being a good fit.”

4. What are your plans after graduation?

“After graduating I intend to continue my education in some way, probably going to graduate school somewhere, although I am not sure what course of study I will take. As bland as it may sound, as long as I am learning about the world and expanding my horizons I will be content with wherever I end up.”

5. Is there anything else about yourself that others might find interesting?“

I was born and raised on the banks of the Mississippi in Davenport, Iowa, and am a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. Most pastimes interest me, but I especially enjoy anything that raises your heart rate, stirs up thought, sparks disagreement, or some combination of the three.”