Entries by webteam

Passing of Professor Edward Soja

November 3, 2015 in /by

Passing of Professor Edward Soja

UCLA geographers are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Edward Soja, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning and Adjunct Emeritus professor of Geography at UCLA.  Professor Soja was an internationally lauded postmodern political geographer and urban planner. Amongst many accolades, he most recently was awarded the Vautrin Lud Prize, one of the most prestigious recognitions in Geography.  As observed by his friend and long-time collaborator Professor Allen Scott, “his enormous personality and constantly fertile mind meant that he was always a huge presence both on the UCLA campus and in the world of academia at large.

His absence deprives us all of an extraordinary friend and colleague.”

We wish all the best to Professor Soja’s family, students, and friends in this difficult time. -Laurence C. Smith, Department Chair

Geography faculty elected fellows of the AGU

July 28, 2015 in /by

Geography faculty elected fellows of the AGU

Geography Chair Laurence C. Smith and  John Muir Memorial Chair Glen MacDonald have been elected as Fellows of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

According to the AGU –

Being elected a Union Fellow is a tribute to those AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space sciences as valued by their peers and vetted by section and focus group committees. This honor is bestowed on only 0.1% of the membership in any given year. We look forward to celebrating their breakthrough achievements and exceptional work at the annual Honors Ceremony and Banquet to be held on 16 December at the 2015 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco.

EOS.org, UCLA Newsroom

In Memorium – Dr. Anna Dvorak

July 17, 2015 in /by

In Memorium – Dr. Anna Dvorak

It is with deep sadness that we convey the death on 7 July of Dr. Anna Dvorak (1987-2015), who suffered an accident while climbing in the Idaho Mountains.  Anna was born in Southern California.  Following degrees at the University of California, Berkeley and the California State University, Northridge, she studied for her doctorate in the Department of Geography at UCLA, under the supervision of Prof. Stephen Bell.  Anna’s thesis on the cultural-historical geography of Polish settlement in Brazil was completed in 2013.  At the time of her accident, Anna was still in the early stages of a tenure-stream appointment in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Eastern Washington University.  A permanent record of her work lives on mainly within articles published in Brazil.  Anna was an avid participant in outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, hiking and climbing.  She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends, including in the Department of Geography at UCLA.

Memorial Service to Celebrate Anna’s Life will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 6:00 pm, at Shepherd of the Hills Church.
19700 Rinaldi St, Porter Ranch, CA 91326

The Spokesman-Review, Anna Dvorak Memorial Fund, Wood River Chapel

Society for Women Geographers and Barbara Y. Maida Awards

June 8, 2015 in /by

Society for Women Geographers and Barbara Y. Maida Awards

The recipients of the Society for Women Geographers (SWG) Award and Barbara Maida Awards for this year are:

Society of Women Geographers Award: Ashley Fent and Sara Hughes

Barbara Yablon Maida Award: Corey Rovzar

Professor Glen MacDonald elected to National Academy of Sciences

April 28, 2015 in /by

Professor Glen MacDonald elected to National Academy of Sciences

Distinguished Professor and John Muir Chair Glen MacDonald was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

He joins a very small group of faculty within the department that have achieved National Academy of Sciences memberships, including Professors Jared Diamond, Dennis Lettenmaier, and Professor Emeritus William A.V. Clark.

National Academy of Sciences