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Department of Geography
University of Kentucky
1457 Patterson Office Tower
Lexington KY 40506-0027
Tel.: (859) 257-2931
Fax: (859) 323-1969

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. In Memoriam

It is with great sadness we report that Professor Emeritus Richard Ulack passed away on March 22nd, 2011.

Professor Dick Ulack started teaching at the University of Kentucky in 1974 after earning his PhD at Pennsylvania State University. While he was on the faculty at UK he taught thousands of undergraduate and graduate students in courses such as: Lands and People of the Non Western World; Cities of the World; World Regional Geography; Third World Development; Geography of Southeast Asia; and Tourism Geography. His research strengths were in the broad area of development, with emphasis on tourism development in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. He won two Fulbright awards: one took him to the Philippines for a year and another took him to Fiji for six months. He was well known in geography for his published research on migration and tourism development, among other themes, and for his books such as "Southeast Asia: Diversity and Development" that he and Tom Leinbach co-edited for Prentice Hall. Dick was also the lead editor of the wonderful "Atlas of Kentucky" - a cooperative project with other geography faculty from the University of Kentucky and from other institutions across the Commonwealth. For eight years Professor Ulack was the Chair of the Department and he had considerable success leading the department as it grew in size and strength.
Colleagues remember the quality of his scholarship and his unselfish service to geography and to the University of Kentucky. Students remember his great classes as well as his warm and open personality and his interest in student learning.

Dick retired in December 2006, and moved to Florida with his wife Karen. On his retirement Dick and Karen established the Richard Ulack Study Abroad Fund to provide financial awards to UK undergraduate Geography majors wishing to study abroad. To donate, go to the UK Arts and Sciences Donation page, and specify the Richard Ulack Study Abroad Fund in the space provided.

We extend our deep sympathy to Karen, and to their children Jessica and Chris and their families.


.On February 18th and 19th the University of Kentucky Political Ecology Working Group held the first annual “Dimensions of Political Ecology: Conference on Nature Society Research.” The conference was organized by a group of graduate students in geography, anthropology, and sociology. Conference participation was interdisciplinary and international with over 125 participants serving as presenters, discussants, and field guides. Given the success of the event a follow up in 2012 is imminent. See the UKPEWG website for more details about the working group and the conference.

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Recent Awards

Dr. Paul Karan, received the University Research Professor Award for the 2010-2011 academic year. This is the University's highest honor and is a very well deserved recognition for Professor Karan's outstanding work as a Geographer. For more information please visit here and here.

Congratulations to Geography Undergraduates Stephanie Shaw and Ann DeSanctis, as they were both chosen as interns for the National Geographic Society. Stephanie Shaw was chosen as intern with the National Geographic Maps Division and Ann DeSanctis was chosen as an intern with the National Geographic Education Programs Division. This is a very prestigious honor, and a very unusual distinction for any program to have two interns at the National Geographic Society.

Professor Paul Karan received a Special Award from the Association of Japanese Geographers. The award recognizes his research accomplishments, and his contribution to the many connections he has built with Japanese geographers.

The Chair's Newshour A periodic note from our departmental chair that explains the state and course of the program.
Fridays during Spring & Fall Semesters. A weekly departmental tradition featuring guest speakers from international geography academic programs and professions. Events are often followed by receptions or libations in one of Lexington's fine restaurants or sunny patios.

Ellen Churchill Semple, 1863-1933


Spring 2011: Semple Day takes place each spring, and features a variety of activities during the day, including an open colloquium by the featured Semple Day Speaker. The namesake of this celebration, Ellen Churchill Semple, was born in Louisville in 1863, and is considered one of the century's foremost geographers.