Golden Anniversary of the Department of Geography, University of Georgia, 1946-1996

100Southeastern Geographer member of the Division. Dr. Hart's illustrated (and humorous) address was entitled "The Geography of One Geographer." The annual business meeting, honors luncheon, several committee meetings and receptions, and displays provided by the various departments in the region featuring their graduate programs rounded out the busy program. Indeed, the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers continues to take the lead among all groups affiliated with the national association in the size, quality, and participation level of its members at its annual meeting. Program Committee Truman A. Hartshorn (Georgia)David Arnold (Mississippi) Luoheng Han (Alabama)Keith Debbage (North Carolina) Tracy Newsome (Florida)Dan Wagner (South Carolina) Kevin Archer (Florida)Charles Kovacik (South Carolina) Sanford Bederman (Georgia)Joseph Nicholas (Virginia) Paul Knapp (Georgia)George Towers (West Virginia) Richard Sambrook (Kentucky)Devlin Fung (Tennessee) Southeastern Geographer Vol. XXXVlI, No. 1, May 1997, pp. 100-101 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, 1946-1996 How far that little candle throws [its] beams! William Shakespeare, Hamlet With the appointment in March of 1946 of Dr. Merle Charles Prunty, Jr., as Professor of Geography and Geology, the foundation for the future of geography was secured at the University of Georgia. Merle Prunty made the first faculty appointments in 1947 and 1948, and by 1 949 the faculty numbered six. Following the establishment of an undergraduate degree , the M.A. was instituted in 1951 and the Ph.D. in 1961. The GeographyGeology building was opened in 1960, and Geology split off to form a separate Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 101 department. The Geography Department grew slowly and deliberately at first and then, having established the foundations for a strong research and teaching program , expanded rapidly. Twenty years after its founding, the faculty numbered 15, and James S. Fisher, a future Head of the Department of Geography, was awarded the department's second Ph.D. Merle served as Head from his initial appointment in 1946 until 1969 and then as Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor ofGeography until his untimely death in 1 982. The first M.A. was awarded in 1951 and by 1 956- 1 957 six M.A. students were enrolled, including Howard A. Schretter, who was to join the faculty in 1962 and remains on the faculty today. Graduate enrollment increased rapidly, reaching 17 in 1960-1961 and 41 in 19661967 . In 1973-1974, a total of 62 graduate students were enrolled, and currently ( 1 996- 1 997) graduate students number 8 1 . That little candle that was lit in March of 1946 now throws its beam, not just across the Southeast or throughout North America, but truly around our whole grand globe. The profession of geography has been brightened and made richer by the many students, faculty, and staffwho have formed the University's Department of Geography for the past half century. Southeastern Geographer Vol. XXXVU, No. 1, May 1997, pp. 101-105 REPORT OF THE HONORS COMMITTEE John T. Morgan Criteria for the special awards presented by the Honors Committee can be found on pages 109-1 10 of this issue. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Morton D. Winsberg Florida State University The 1996 Honors Committee of the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers takes pride in presenting the Lifetime Achievement Dr. Morgan is Associate Professor ofGeography at Emory and Henry College, Emory, VA 24327-0947. ...