GIS Day shines light on historical maps

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) will host "GIS Day: Mapping History" at 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Arts and Technology Building at UNG's Gainesville Campus.

Tying in with the national day celebrating geographic information systems, the event will mark UNG's Sesquicentennial Celebration by examining the history of both UNG and the surrounding community.

"We're trying to represent the history of UNG. It's kind of cool to look at the maps of how things change," Madison Rollins, a junior from Pensacola, Florida, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis with the aim of working in fire science, said. "You can see how technology has developed for GIS and how it's continuing to grow."

The event will begin with appetizers and a poster session showing students' research on past and current maps, including those from Indigenous groups in the area. Three guest speakers are scheduled, starting at 3:30 p.m. A drone demo, GIS trivia and refreshments are set for 5 p.m., followed by a bonfire and social at 6 p.m. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP. Any students, alumni, faculty, and staff, regardless of discipline, are invited to GIS Day.

The speakers include:

• Thomas McGill, a GIS Specialist and Project Manager at Gaskins Surveying & Engineering Co. He formerly worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a research civil engineer and research geologist. He has skills in photogrammetry and geospatial science.
• Kayla Ballenger, a GIS manager at HBK Engineering, LLC. She has expertise in land cover analysis, remote sensing and environmental analysis.
• Steve Fleming, a professor in IESA at UNG. He is a retired Army colonel and specializes in geospatial intelligence. His teaching background includes remote sensing, photogrammetry, surveying, geographic information systems, cartography, and military geospatial operations.

Dr. Amber Ignatius, associate professor of geography and geospatial science, is collaborating with students on the event. One fascinating element of the students' research has been seeing old maps that don't include Lake Lanier, which was built from 1950-1957.

"They have been able to consider the creation of the lake and how it's affected the identity of people who live in the region and our water supply," Ignatius said.

Clarence Jackson, a senior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, serves as president of the student GIS Club. His goal for the future is to work in software engineering and geospatial intelligence. Jackson has appreciated what he has learned and is eager to be a part of GIS Day.

"It's interesting to see how previous cartographers went about creating these maps," Jackson said. "We want everyone to be able to come out and see what GIS is and see how it can be used in their careers. We want to share our knowledge with them."

Eric Odum, a senior from Between, Georgia, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, is leaning toward a career in environmental reconstruction. He still marvels at the doors GIS technology has opened.

"We want to show how mapping has changed and how the data is acquired," Odum said.

Founded in 1873, UNG is celebrating 150 years of scholarship, leadership, and service this academic year. The Sesquicentennial Celebration honors UNG's legacy of producing outstanding civic, professional and military leaders who serve throughout Georgia and beyond.