December 14, 2000

Keeling Represents WKU On National Geography Group

Bowling Green, Ky. - Through his association with the American Geographical Society, Dr. David J. Keeling is helping put Western Kentucky University's Department of Geography and Geology on the map.

Dr. Keeling, an associate professor of geography, is involved in planning the American Geographical Society's 150th anniversary in 2001. As part of his duties as a national councilor for the group, Dr. Keeling will become Webmaster of the Society's Web site and will represent the group at national and international conferences.

"At conferences, I make a point of representing Western as well as the Society," he said. "Wherever I'm involved, the name of Western Kentucky University is involved. At the national and international level, that helps put Western on the map."

For the past five years, Dr. Keeling has represented the Society and the University as a traveling lecturer on worldwide tours.

On Dec. 11, Dr. Keeling was in New York for the American Geographical Society Globe Signing. Since 1929, the Society's antique Fliers and Explorers Globe has had the names of more than 60 explorers and scientists inscribed on it, including Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Robert Byrd and Sir Edmund Hillary. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first human on the moon, was among this year's signers.

Early next year, Dr. Keeling will be back in New York for a meeting of the American Association of Geographers to promote the Society's sesquicentennial celebration.

For more information, contact Dr. David Keeling at (270) 745-5986.