APCG Distinguished Service Award

The Association of Pacific Coast Geographers presents only one award to a member other than a student. Thus, the Distinguished Service Award is particularly important to our organization. The Distinguished Service Award is the APCG’s way of recognizing members who have provided especially valuable service to our organization, students, and to the field of geography. This year the Distinguished Service Award is presented to Jenny Zorn, a former APCG president who has worked behind the scenes in many capacities to keep us running as smoothly and successfully as we have been. For example, our award winner organized one of our annual meetings, coordinated our student Geography Bowl for several years, and was a leader in the development of our very successful Women’s Network.

Personal style has been an important factor in the quality of Jenny’s service; she is very well organized, low-key in demeanor, and effective in communication. These qualities have made it possible to deal successfully with a great range of personalities, both in the APCG and in other organizations. One of our past presidents stated that observing Jenny in meetings and elsewhere taught her a tremendous amount that she has put into daily practice in her work with students, faculty, and administrators.

Jenny has also been active in our national organization, the Association of American Geographers, as editor and board member of the Geography in Education Specialty Group, and as a member of the Healthy Departments Committee and the Committee on the Status of Women. Currently she is Secretary of the AAG and our APCG division councilor on the AAG’s Executive Committee.

Jenny received her Ph.D. in geography from Ohio State University. Since coming to California, her research interests have focused on international education and geography education, and gender wage gaps in various occupations. She became a professor of geography at California State University, San Bernardino, in 1989 and has since held various administrative posts at her university. She is currently associate provost for Academic Programs. While rising in the administrative ranks, Jenny has been a catalyst for change toward the equal treatment of women at her university. And, as associate provost, she no doubt acts behind the scenes for geography.

For her long, faithful, and effective service to the APCG and to geography, the APCG is very pleased to present the APCG Distinguished Service Award to Jenny Zorn.