WKU News & Events

April 16, 2002

WKU Faculty, Student Help With
State Geography Bee

Bowling Green, Ky. - Faculty and students from Western Kentucky University's Geography and Geology Department participated in the 2002 state finals of the annual National Geographic Bee held at the University of Louisville on April 5.

More than 100 students from elementary and middle schools around Kentucky, supported by teachers, parents and siblings, participated in the preliminary rounds leading up to the championship round. Students answered challenging questions on a variety of geographic topics and competed for the 10 spots available in the championship round.

Drs Katie Algeo and Albert Petersen, along with Scott Dobler and student Hilary Bogert of Lousiville, served as judges and moderators. Dr. David Keeling, department head, served as master of ceremonies and moderator for the championship round.

Zia Choudhury, a student from Lone Oak Middle School in Paducah, became the Kentucky state champion by correctly identifying the city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan. Zia won $100, a world atlas, and a trip to Washington, D.C., in May to compete in the national championships moderated by Alex Trebek.

Dr. Keeling said the Department of Geography and Geology hopes to host the 2003 Kentucky state championship event on WKU's campus next April. For more information about the Geographic Bee, contract Dr. David Keeling (david.keeling@wku.edu) at 745-4555.

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