Dawn Wright, Esri Chief Scientist
Redlands, California—Esri’s chief scientist, Dawn J. Wright, PhD, has received the Distinguished Teaching Honors of the Association of American Geographers (AAG), the highest award offered by the association. Esri provides more than 7,000 universities worldwide with GIS software for teaching and research.
AAG honors for 2013 will be conferred on Dr. Wright April 13 at the AAG Annual Meeting in Los Angeles during a special awards luncheon. This is the second time in the past year that AAG has recognized Dr. Wright’s contributions to science and education. She also received the organization’s Presidential Achievement Award for making long-standing and distinguished contributions to the discipline of geography.
“AAG has been a force in advancing geographic science,” said Dr. Wright. “I am inspired by my fellow professors who are using geographic technologies in the classroom to help students understand the world’s diverse cultures, environments, and challenges. These educators are laying the foundation for the next generation to design plans for a more balanced, harmonious planet.”
While serving as Esri’s chief scientist, Dr. Wright retains her position as professor of geosciences at Oregon State University. She views herself as a scientist working within and between the areas of geographic information science, marine science, and ocean informatics. She is a leader in her outreach to a larger community, including her interactions with schoolchildren and her interest in encouraging more young women to pursue careers in science. Dr. Wright’s professional seagoing experience is remarkable and affords her the opportunity to bring firsthand experience into the classroom, a critical element of successful teaching.
In December, the AAG Honors Committee announced nine nominees to receive 2013 honors for outstanding contributions to the advancement or welfare of the geography discipline. The committee specifically recognized Dr. Wright’s classroom teaching and mentoring of students in geographic information science, marine science, and ocean informatics and her recruitment of young students into geographic sciences.
AAG is a nonprofit scientific and educational society founded in 1904. For more than 100 years, AAG has contributed to the advancement of geography. Its members, from more than 60 countries, share interests in the theory, methods, and practice of geography, which they cultivate through the AAG Annual Meeting.