NEWS
WKU CHNGES BECOMES FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEMBER OF ICELANDIC ARCTIC COOPERATION NETWORK
Since 2014, WKU has been involved in teaching and research in Iceland in cooperation with partners to help facilitate further collaboration. On May 29, the Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES) at WKU signed an agreement with the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network (IACN) to become the first international member of the Network.
WKU STUDENTS STUDY CLIMATE CHANGE IN ICELAND
Drs. Leslie North and Jason Polk of the Department of Geography and Geology and Ms. Heather Thomas from WKU Housing and Residence Life recently led a group of 15 students on a journey around Iceland! This Faculty-Led Study abroad course focused on how the land of fire and ice experiences climate change and the diverse responses and resiliencies to these changes.
CHNGES GRADUATE STUDENTS CONDUCT RESEARCH IN ICELAND
James Graham, wearing the Tobii Pro 2 Mobile Eye-Tracking Glasses, completed his research at Thingvellir National Park and Solheim Glacier. Top right: Allison Quiroga filters a water sample of a glacier river. Bottom left: Icelandic Myrdalsjokull icecap seen in the distance beyond a field of lupins. Bottom right: Allison Quiroga and Rachel Kaiser run water chemistry tests atop Solheim Glacier.
WKU GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY STAFF/STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN WATER PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES
Two students, both undergraduate and graduate level, of the WKU Geography and Geology Department recently attended the Water Professionals Conference of the Kentucky/Tennessee section in Lexington, Kentucky where they represented the newly found student chapter of Western Kentucky University Water Professionals (WKUWP) in collaboration with the WKU Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES), Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU), and WKU HydroAnalytical Lab.
WKU FACULTY MEMBERS EXPLORE GEOTOURISM SITES IN EUROPE
WKU Department of Geography and Geology faculty members Dr. Leslie North and Dr. Jason Polk spent part of summer 2013 exploring show caves and geoparks in eight countries in western Europe in an effort to research the managerial structure and education opportunities of the facilities.
WKU TEAM VISITS BELIZE TO DEVELOP RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
At the end of May, a group of faculty from WKU’s Department of Geography and Geologyand Honors College, in association with the Office of International Programs, visited Belize for a marathon week of meetings with several entities within the country to initiate multiple projects that will provide student and faculty teaching, research and engagement opportunities, as well as develop collaborations and capacity building within the region in the areas of climate change, water resources, karst geoscience, environmental education and sustainability.
WKU KARST, ENGINEERING EXPERTISE HIGHLIGHTED AT MUSEUM SINKHOLE
WKU’s Ogden College of Science and Engineering prides itself on providing hands-on, real-world experiences for students through courses taught by faculty members who are experts in their fields.
EDUCATIONAL PICTOGRAMS TESTED IN WATER RESEARCH IN WEST AFRICA
WKU Department of Geography and Geology staff member and graduate student Jonathan (Joneo) Oglesby returned to Niger, West Africa, this month to continue his thesis research with the Songhai people.
WKU PROFESSORS APPEAR IN SINKHOLE DOCUMENTARY, ASSIST WITH EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT
During the past year, sinkhole collapses headlined newspapers around the globe. From Kentucky to Guatemala, these catastrophic events attracted much attention and provided an opportunity for researchers to continue studying the causes, impacts, and remediation of sinkholes.
WKU GROUP DISCUSSES PROJECT’S GOALS WITH ICELAND’S PRESIDENT, OTHER OFFICIALS
Following the signing of a formal cooperative agreement on March 23 in Akureyri, Iceland, between WKU, the University of Akureyri (UNAK), and the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network (IACN), the delegation participated in several joint meetings with Icelandic officials during the remainder of their visit.
WKU, CARIBBEAN CLIMATE GROUP SIGN COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IN BELIZE
WKU and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) formally signed a cooperative agreement Monday (April 27) in Belmopan, Belize, that brings to fruition many years of collaboration.
WKU GROUP PARTICIPATES IN ARCTIC COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE IN ICELAND
A group of students and faculty from WKU recently returned from a study abroad program in Iceland led by Dr. Bernie Strenecky, WKU Scholar in Residence, and Dr. Jason Polk and Dr. Leslie North of the Department of Geography and Geology.