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> Hugh W. Calkins, PhD. > Professor of Geography

Hugh West Calkins, who served on the faculty in the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo from 1975 until his retirement in 2002, and was department chair from 1999-2002 passed away peacefully in Colorado on Saturday June 18 2005 after a battle with cancer. He was 66 years old.

The University at Buffalo has established the "Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award" to be given annually to a graduate student from the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo who demonstrates the principles that Hugh developed and taught for many years regarding the successful application of GIS to real world issues.

Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award

An award to honor Dr.Calkins career in the field of Urban Planning and Geography has been established. The award will be given annually to a graduate student from the University at Buffalo's geography department, who best applies the principles he developed and taught for many years. If you would like to contribute, you may donate online or forward your donation to NCGIA, SUNY at Buffalo, 301 Wilkeson, Buffalo, NY 14261.Please make checks payable to UB Foundation.

Hugh's professional forte was service—to the department, to the University, to the community, to the State, and to the Nation. Hugh served on numerous national, state, and local advisory committees and boards, playing a leading role in the development of information exchange standards for the emerging field of geographic information systems. Hugh led the development of guidebooks and standards for GIS adoption by local government within the state that have been used around the world. He also was co-leader of two NCGIA research initiatives. But Hugh Calkins's greatest professional legacy is found in his students, who now play key roles in industry, government, and academia throughout the national and the world. At a session in Hugh's honor at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Denver in April 2005, ESRI President Jack Dangermond stated that Hugh Calkins defined what it meant to be a GIS professional. What a true and perceptive statement. Hugh Calkins is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Victoria DeMaret, his son John, his grandchildren, and a legion of his former students and colleagues.

The Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award

The Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award will be given annually to a current graduate student from the University at Buffalo's Department of Geography in order to advance his/her studies in the following year.

Thank you to those who applied this year! We are pleased to annouce that this year's winner is Seth Spielman.

To Apply

To be considered:

  • Complete the Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award nomination form.
  • Attach a 1-2 page nomination statement (.doc format) describing how their graduate research or project has applied one or more of the principles developed and taught by Prof. Calkins in a new and/or practical manner. These principles include: sharing of geographic information, use of geographic information and information technology standards, effective design and management of geographic information, conducting requirements analysis, coordination of local government information in the US, developing world to overcome economic, social, and environmental challenges, etc.
  • Optional map documents (up to 2 additional pages) to illustrate the points made in the nomination are accepted - however, they are not a requirement.
  • Please submit the documents by email in digital form (.doc or .pdf format) to Diane Holfelner at ncgia@buffalo.edu.

Award Information

Award Eligibility:

The "Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award" will be given annually to a current graduate student from the University at Buffalo's Department of Geography in order to advance his/her studies in the following year.
The award recipient will be required to submit a summary document - no more than 1 page - regarding how the monetary award was spent (conference, books, research, equipment, software, etc.)

Award Recognition:

The recipient will have their name and the year engraved on a perpetual plaque that is located in the Department of Geography main office. In addition, the recipient will receive a monetary award in the amount of $1,000. The award winner will be announced at the Department of Geography's Graduation event on May 13th.

Please submit the nominations by email in digital form (.doc or .pdf format) to Diane Holfelner at dh99@buffalo.edu

Awardee Information

2006 Awardee
Bo Ae Chun

2007 Awardee
Seth Spielman

About Dr. Calkins

Hugh West Calkins, who served on the faculty in the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo from 1975 until his retirement in 2002, and was department chair from 1999-2002, passed away peacefully in Colorado on Saturday, June 18, 2005 after a battle with cancer. He was 66 years old.

The University at Buffalo has established the "Hugh W. Calkins Applied GIS Award" to be given annually to a graduate student from the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo who demonstrates the principles that Hugh developed and taught for many years regarding the successful application of GIS to real world issues.

Hugh's professional forte was service - to the department, to the University, to the community, to the State, and to the Nation. Hugh served on numerous national, state, and local advisory committees and boards, playing a leading role in the development of information exchange standards for the emerging field of geographic information systems. Hugh led the development of guidebooks and standards for GIS adoption by local government within the state that have been used around the world. He also was co-leader of tow NCGIA research initiatives. But Hugh Calkins' greatest professional legacy is found in his students, who now play key roles in industry, government, and academia throughout the nation and the world. At a session in Hugh's honor at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Denver in April 2005, ESRI President Jack Dangermond stated that Hugh Calkins defined what it meant to be a GIS professional. What a true and perceptive statement. Hugh Calkins is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Victoria DeMaret, his son John, his grandchildren, and a legion of his former students and colleaques.

Would you like to contribute to this award?

For More Information

NCGIA
Phone: 716.645.2545
Fax: 716.645.5957
Email: ncgia@acsu.buffalo.edu

University at Buffalo
Wilkeson Quad Room 301
Buffalo, NY 14261-0023
United States of America


Department of Geography University at Buffalo