Cooperative Extension Program - Prairie View A&M University

October 19, 2009
Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture and
Human Sciences To Host GIS Day Event
Celebrate Your World With GIS

Prairie View, TEXAS — Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences announces GIS Day 2009 on GIS Day, November 18, 2009. The event will be held in the Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society’s GeographyAwareness Week (November 16–20 in 2009), GIS Day is a global event to make people aware of geographic information system (GIS) technology and the important contributions it makes in the fields of science, technology, information, and the humanities. GIS Day 2009 provides an opportunity for those interested in learning about GIS to see its applications in action.

GIS Day 2009 will explore the GIS technology through presentations, a panel discussion, geocaching, poster presentation, wetlands tour as well as information on GIS career awareness. Seminars will feature experts and GIS users who are well versed in the benefits of the technology.

A GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, water features, and terrain, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location, enabling planners, analysts, and others to make informed decisions about their communities.

“In today’s world, knowledge of the universe is essential to success. We are excited to bring the GIS technology to our students and surrounding community,” said Dr. Freddie L. Richards, dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. “The understanding of GIS technology and its application is an invaluable skill that will serve our stakeholders well in the future.

Although you may not be aware of it, GIS touches our lives daily. It is used throughout the world to solve problems related to the environment, health care, land use, business efficiency, education, and public safety. The power supply directed to homes, the patrol cars and fire trucks that keep neighborhoods safe, and the delivery trucks on the road all function more efficiently because of GIS. This technology can also help businesses place ATMs and restaurants at more convenient locations, allow people to pull maps off the Internet, and help farmers grow more crops with less chemicals.

Participants are asked to register for the event by completing the registration form before Nov. 2. On-site registration on the day of the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Cooperative Extension Building. For more information on GIS Day 2009, call (936) 261-5008 or (936) 261-5137.

About Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University was founded in 1876 and is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas. With an established reputation for producing engineers, business leaders, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 42 academic majors, 46 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and schools. The university recently named its College of Engineering for PVAMU alumnus Roy G. Perry and the University’s marching band, The Marching Storm, was featured as the lead band in the 2009 Rose Parade. A member of The Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. During the university’s 132-year history, more than 50,000 academic degrees have been awarded. For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.

GIS Day is principally sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Association of American Geographers, University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, the United States Geological Survey, the Library of Congress, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett–Packard, and ESRI.

GIS Day and www.gisday.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.