The department was well represented at the 2006 AAG Annual Meeting in Chicago in early, both in leadership roles and presentations. These included doctoral students Kelley O’Neal, Jessica McCarty, Jennifer Pomeroy, Ronald Luna, and Barbara Kearney.

Kelley O’Neal, served as Student Director for the Remote Sensing Specialty Group for 2005/2006 and was reelected to the same position for 2006/2007. For the 2006 AAG Annual Meeting held in Chicago March 7-10, Kelley organized and chaired the Remote Sensing, GIS, and Cartography Specialty Groups Joint Student Illustrated Paper Competition. Next year, she will organize and chair the Remote Sensing Specialty Group Student Honors Paper Competition

Jessica McCarty won first place in the Remote Sensing, GIS, and Cartography Specialty Groups Joint Student Illustrated Paper Competition.

Jennifer Pomeroy organized and chaired a session entitled “China Rising,” cosponsored by the Regional Planning and Development Specialty Group and the Asia Specialty Group. In addition, Jennifer has been elected as Director of Developing Countries for the Regional Planning and Development Specialty Group.

Barbara Kearney presented a paper entitled “The Role of the National Park in Shaping Gateway Community Development.” Barbara was also elected as Electronic Communications Officer and Student Representative for Developing and Developed Countries in the Regional Planning and Development Specialty Group.

Ronald Luna chaired a session on “Immigration , Transnationalism, and Latin America” and presented a paper entitled “What Is Transnationalism?