Bowling Green, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently commissioned Scott Dobler, a faculty member in Western Kentucky University’s Department of Geography and Geology, as the state geographer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Dobler will serve in this role until Jan. 1, 2007.

“This prestigious appointment will help in my efforts to promote geographic awareness,” he said.
Dobler, who has been at WKU since 2000, is a coordinator for the Kentucky Geographic Alliance (www.kga.org) and has been involved in geographic education in Kentucky since 1994. He is playing a key role in My Wonderful World (www.mywonderfulworld.org), a five-year educational campaign to improve geographic education launched this year by the National Geographic Society.

Dr. David Keeling, head of WKU’s Department of Geography and Geology, said Dobler’s appointment as the state geographer is part of the department’s strategic plan, in partnership with WKU’s Teacher Education program, to expand geoscience education into the P-12 classroom statewide with initiatives coordinated through the Kentucky Geographic Alliance and the WKU Science Alliance. WKU is also home to the Kentucky State Climatologist Stuart Foster. Through the Kentucky Climate Center, the state climatologist provides myriad services to schools, businesses, local and state government leaders, and communities around the Commonwealth.

“The department’s engagement with P-12 teachers around the state is part of our continuing mission to enhance geography and geology education,” Dr. Keeling said. “Our goal is to prepare more Kentucky students to enroll in university geoscience programs and to promote a geographic perspective on society’s most pressing issues. Scott’s appointment as state geographer is recognition by the Commonwealth of the important role that geography and the geosciences play in helping to develop productive and sustainable communities.”

Dobler received his bachelor’s degree in geography from Morehead State University and his master’s from Bowling Green State University. He teaches introductory geoscience courses in the Department of Geography and Geology, as well as foundation courses in Geographic Information Science (GIS), the department’s professional development course for seniors, and the geography of Kentucky.

He is a non-commissioned officer in the Kentucky National Guard and was recently appointed to Pack leader for Boy Scouts of America at Potter Gray Elementary School.

The duties of state geographer include advising state officials and agencies on geographic matters; serving as a resource for teachers of geography and for publishers of geography textbooks and atlases; assisting state and local officials with boundary studies; advising state and local agencies on mapping and cartographic programs; assisting state and local officials with planning, zoning and land-use studies; and cooperating with other states in exchanging geographic information.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Scott Dobler at (270) 745-7078.

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