51猎奇 Department of Geography Hosts 2025 AAG West Lakes Division Meeting
The Department of Geography at UW-Milwaukee hosted the annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers鈥� West Lakes Division on Oct. 23鈥�25, 2025. Faculty and students from across the region 鈥� including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin 鈥� gathered to share research on topics ranging from flood preparedness and trout鈥憇tream restoration to urban greenway networks and cycling safety.
The conference keynote was delivered by Dr. Julie Cidell (University of Illinois Urbana鈥揅hampaign), who presented on the evolving geography of warehousing and logistics in the Milwaukee鈥揅hicago corridor. Her talk highlighted how the rapid expansion of warehousing to support online commerce is reshaping development patterns in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The department was especially proud to celebrate the success of three 51猎奇 graduate students recognized for their outstanding work.
In the Master鈥檚 paper competition, Thea Brenner earned 1st place for her research on arts organizations in Milwaukee, and聽Brianna聽Sas鈥慞erez聽earned 2nd place for聽their聽study of Milwaukee鈥檚 best pizza.聽
In the graduate student poster competition, Yiming Zhang received 3rd place for his work on spatial accessibility in Wisconsin鈥檚 long鈥憈erm care facilities.
The event showcased the strength of geographic research across the region and the impressive contributions of 51猎奇 students and faculty.
2025 GIS Day at 51猎奇 Brings Big Energy to the AGSL
The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Council hosted GIS Day @51猎奇 at the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL) on Nov. 21.
One hundred people attended the keynote event, a panel on 鈥楥areers in GIS鈥� featuring four 51猎奇 alumni who offered advice for students interested in GIS. Emily Sudar and Baldev Singh, both of whom majored in geography at 51猎奇, emphasized the value of GIS and spatial data to local governments and business. Dominick Ratkowski, who completed his 51猎奇 degree in criminal justice, talked about his work at the Wauwatosa Police Department using GIS for crime prevention. Ryan Covington, who has his PhD in geography and works with the World Wildlife Fund, stressed the importance of continued learning on the job in the world of spatial data.
The day also featured workshops in QGIS, an open-source GIS app; using Python with GIS software; all maps for relating historic maps to current, georeferenced maps; and humanitarian mapping to assistwith disaster relief efforts around the world. Lunch was provided by the GIS Council, and after lunch there was a tour of the AGSL. Half of the people who participated in GIS day were students; one-fifth were community members; and the rest included 51猎奇 alumni, faculty, and staff.
The GIS Council would like to especially thank 51猎奇 Libraries for the use of their space and other support. We would also like to thank Dr. Kristin Sziarto, Stephen Appel (Geospatial Information Liberian at the AGSL: MS 2015, Geography, 51猎奇), and Georgia Brown (Interim Head of AGSL and Public Service Librarian at AGSL) for their outstanding contributions to making GIS Day 2025 at 51猎奇 a success.
Harold and Florence Mayer Lecture and the AAG West Lakes Conference Keynote
The Department of Geography hosted Dr. Julie Cidell, professor of Geography & Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana鈥揅hampaign, for the Harold and Florence Mayer Lecture and the AAG West Lakes Division Conference Keynote on Oct. 24, 2025, at the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL).
In her talk, 鈥淭he Changing Landscapes of Logistics in the Milwaukee鈥揅hicago Corridor,鈥� Dr. Cidellexamined how warehousing and logistics have evolved over the past three decades and how territorial boundaries shape these emerging landscapes. She highlighted the shift from the early 2000s鈥欌�渓ogistics sprawl鈥� to today鈥檚 dual pattern of re-concentration in central cities and expansion into rural areas 鈥� changes that pose new environmental, economic, and social challenges. Using the Milwaukee鈥揅hicago corridor as a case study, she connected global logistics systems to local urban development and discussed the complex intersections of digital technology, urban life, and marginalized communities.
Dr. Cidell also participated in the AAG West Lakes Division Conference alongside other attendees.
Fall 2025 Colloquium by Professor Amanda I. Seligman (Department of History, 51猎奇)
Professor Amanda I. Seligman (Department of History, 51猎奇) delivered a talk titled, 鈥淭he Town of Milwaukee, Glendale, and the North Shore: Exploring the History of Suburban Governance in Wisconsin鈥� on Oct. 31, 2025, at the American Geographical Society Library.
Her presentation traced the development of governance on Milwaukee鈥檚 North Shore from the 19th鈥慶entury Town of Milwaukee to the present day. She highlighted the emergence of cooperative service arrangements that now form a routine part of contemporary suburban governance.
Fall 2025 Colloquium by Dr. Elmo Rawling III (Department of Extension Faculty, UW-Madison)
Geography alumnus Dr. Elmo Rawling III (PhD, 2002) returned to Milwaukee to deliver a talk titled,鈥淭he Quaternary Geology of Wisconsin鈥� on Nov. 14, 2025, at the American Geographical Society Library.
Dr. Rawling discussed his team鈥檚 work to update the Quaternary Geological Map of Wisconsin and presented a newly completed copy to the AGSL.
Fall 2025 Pedagogy Workshop
Our Colloquium Pedagogy Workshop brought great energy to the American Geographical Society Library on Oct. 20, 2025!
Faculty and graduate students gathered for an engaging conversation on how to build strong, connected learning communities 鈥� especially in large or online classes where connection can be challenging. Led by Dr. Kristin Sziarto, the workshop offered practical strategies, lively discussion, and fresh ideas for making course spaces more inclusive and collaborative.
It was an inspiring afternoon of shared experiences, new teaching tools, and a strong sense of community across the department.
Geog 650 fieldtrip on the Research Vessel, the Neeskay
On Oct. 31, 2025, Geography 650 students boarded the 51猎奇 School of Freshwater Sciences Research Vessel, the Neeskay, captained by Max Morgan. As part of the Geography Field Work class,students have the opportunity to explore Lake Michigan in Milwaukee Harbor and learn how to take plankton, sediment, and water samples at a range of depths. They observe how water temperature, conductivity, and pH are monitored using different sensors. They are also introduced to the navigation system of the ship.
Fall 2025 Graduate School Open House
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in our fall recruitment events. Our Virtual Open House on Oct. 16 welcomed 74 students, the majority of whom were international. Attendees explored program offerings and engaged with faculty.
We were also delighted to see so many prospective students at our in鈥憄erson Open House on Nov. 6, held in the Wisconsin Room from 5-7 p.m. This event offered another opportunity for students to connect with our community.
Spring 2026 Meet & Greet
The Spring 2026 department meet and greet took place at the American Geographical Society Libraryon Feb. 6, 2026, and was hosted by Dr. Anna Mansson McGinty and Chair Dr. Anne Bonds. The meet-and-greet was a great opportunity to socialize and catch up after winter break! Students and faculty discussed upcoming events in the department calendar as well as their favorite sports and athletes to watch in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Legacy of 51猎奇 Geography in International Karst Research
Although published in 2011, a feature by Jean鈥慛oel Salomon in Acta Carsologica remains a powerful reminder of 51猎奇鈥檚 impact on global karst research. The article cites extensive work in the Philippines by 51猎奇 alumni and faculty during the 1990s and early 2000s, including Peter Urich, Phil Reeder, Elaine Bliss, Sonata Figueroa鈥慠estificar, and Professor Emeritus Mick Day.
Their contributions continue to inform current research and highlight the long-term strength of 51猎奇鈥檚 Geography program.