Awards and HonorsDepartment of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences

The EGE Department awards the following academic honors each year.

National Council for Geographic Education Excellence of Scholarship

The NCGE/AAG Excellence of Scholarship Award recognizes graduating seniors majoring in geography for outstanding academic achievement. Award winners are chosen by individual geography departments on the merits of academic performance, Gamma Theta Upsilon membership, departmental service, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Aaron Insley Prize for Excellence in Geographic Information Systems and Cartography

The Insley prize honors Aaron Insley, a Gustavus alumnus and Geography major. Aaron excelled at GIS and cartography from the start, creating an animated digital map depicting the diffusion of punk rock music for his first Geography course, GEG-101. He loved the mountains and landscapes of the West; Dr. Bob Moline's "American West" course was one of his favorites. Aaron planned to continue his geography studies in graduate school but suffered a head injury in a car accident in 2007. The Insley prize was established with a generous gift from Aaron’s parents, Tom and Carol Insley, and friends of their son.

MN GIS/LIS Outstanding Student Representative

Each Minnesota post-secondary college and university having a recognized GIS program selects a student to be recognized as a GIS/LIS Outstanding Student Representative. This is an honorary award and provides no monetary support. All Outstanding Students are given free registration for the annual conference.

The Geography Honor Society

Gustavus Adolphus College is home to the Lambda Iota chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), an international geography honor society. Gamma Theta Upsilon was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931.

• Benefits of Membership: Gamma Theta Upsilon membership is earned through superior scholarship and is an honor and a professional distinction. Members receive a certificate suitable for framing and can wear a GTU honor cord at Commencement. During your first year of membership you will receive two copies of the Geographical Bulletin, containing articles of geographical interest. No further membership dues are paid to the national organization after the initiation fee. Members are eligible to apply for Gamma Theta Upsilon scholarships, and some employers give hiring preference to honor society members.
• Eligibility: Members of GTU have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography. Initiates must have completed a minimum of three geography courses, have a B average in geography, must rank in the upper 35% of their class (GPA of approximately 3.5) and shall have completed at least three semesters of college coursework.

Robert Moline Environmental Studies Program “Cherish the Earth” Award

Established in 1998 to honor Professor Emeritus Robert Moline (taught 1961–1998), the founder and longtime director of the Environmental Studies Program at Gustavus. Awarded annually for excellence in Environmental Studies and for awareness of and commitment to environmental issues.