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K-State Today

October 17, 2017

Outstanding geography alumna to present 'A Geographer's Journey: K-State, Learning, Research and Teaching'

Submitted by Noelle Blood

The geography department invites faculty, staff and students to "A Geographer's Journey: K-State, Learning, Research and Teaching," a presentation by the department's 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Leslie A. Duram. The presentation will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in the Big 12 Room of the K-State Student Union. An award ceremony will follow the presentation.

"Dr. Duram's expertise in environmental geography makes her presentation an interesting and relevant opportunity for students from agriculture to geography to leadership studies, and beyond," said Amit Chakrabarti, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "We are happy to welcome her back to campus."

Duram has served as the director of environmental studies at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale since 2012, where she also is a professor in the geography and environmental resources department. Her research interests include local food systems, alternative agriculture, environmental public participation and campus sustainability. She is currently working on projects about dietary choices, local food and climate change; as well as experiential learning in geography education.

She has authored or co-authored five books, contributed chapters to nine field-specific books, and published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles. Durham also has been awarded numerous research grants, presented more than 60 times at various professional conferences, and given 25 invited talks since 2000.

"In addition to her commitment to advancing and advocating for community involvement in sustainable practices through award-winning research and publications, Dr. Duram also is an excellent and highly-recognized teacher," said Chuck Martin, head of the geography department.

The National Council for Geographic Education awarded Duram its Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award in 2006, and she was awarded the Southerin Illinois University's Women's Professional Advancement Mentorship Award in 2015.

This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Beta Psi Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geographic Honor Society, and the geography department. For more information contact Martin at cwmgeog@k-state.edu or 785-532-3416.