Dorn, Davis and Arizona Geographic Alliance recognized by National Council for Geographic Education

In 2008, Professor Ron Dorn was the faculty member selected to earn the Distinguished Mentor Award. Since he was unable to attend the NCGE's annual meeting that year, he was given the award at this year's meeting, held September 23-27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Ron has served as co-coordinator of the Arizona Geographic Alliance since 1999. In the ten years since then, he has worked with co-coordinators Malcolm Comeaux and then Gale Ekiss to grow the Alliance into "arguably the most innovative Alliance in the network," according to Dr. Sarah Bednarz, Professor of Geography at Texas A&M University.

Another major initiative led by Ron Dorn is the Masters of Advanced Study in Geographic Education , a primarily online program tailored to strengthen teachers' understanding of physical and human geography so they can integrate it into their classrooms.

A second recognition was given to the Arizona Geographic Alliance. The organization's administrator, Cathy Davis, was recognized with an Outstanding Support to Geography Education Award. Cathy has served as the Alliance's administrator since 1994, and with her efforts the Alliance has grown to an organization that hosts 6 major events each year, communicates with over 3000 members, and coordinates with over 175 Teacher Consultants.