Awards and Scholarships

  Robert and Beth Czerniak Outstanding Geography Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship

In recognition of excellence in course work during students’ time as Geography Majors, Robert Czerniak, Professor Emeritus and his wife Beth Czerniak have established two endowed scholarships, one each for graduate and undergraduate students. Each award recognizes excellence in coursework and progress towards earning either the Bachelor of Science in Geography or the Master of Applied Geography, with the intent to provide financial assistance to students. Each scholarship of approximately $400-$500 (based on endowed balance earnings) is awarded to students though the Scholar Dollars Program at NMSU. Preference is given to students that demonstrate a commitment to the discipline as demonstrated by leadership within the Department, academic performance in class and laboratory activities, and/or extracurricular activity as evidenced by a record of college activities.

Richard D. Wright Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Applied GIS

Dr. Richard D. Wright began his academic career as a classically trained cartographer, graduating with a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Kansas in 1967.For the next 25 years, he served in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University (SDSU), teaching and advising in the areas of traditional analog mapping and cartography. In the late 1980s, Dr. Wright saw the major potential for the use of GIS and computer-aided cartography in helping advance graduate and undergraduate studies at SDSU and was one of the original founders of the Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research (CESAR).Over the next 15-20 years, he was instrumental in generating the external funds needed to build and grow the CESAR lab. In doing so, he brought a range of applied GIS projects to the lab, and these projects and Dr. Wright’s guidance and support helped train two generations of applied GIS specialists at the graduate and undergraduate levels. For his many contributions to applied GIS he was awarded the James R. Anderson Medal by the Association of American Geographers Applied Geography Specialty Group in 2002. In 2009, Dr. Christopher Brown established the Richard D. Wright Award for Excellence in Applied GIS to recognize and honor the contributions of Dr. Wright and to also recognize excellence in students interested in similar applied work we conduct at New Mexico State University. 

Previous Award Winners

Robert and Beth Czerniak Outstanding Geography Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship

  • Lucas Fellure (2024)
  • Meghan Ortiz (2023)
  • Tyler Geoffrion (2023)
  • Joey Martinez (2022)
  • Amber Ransom (2021)
  • Annie Quintana-Eddins (2020)
  • Mireille Tian (2020)
  • Valerie Ramirez (2019)
  • Jenna Rabe (2019)
  • Susan Schvaneveldt (2018)
  • Paige Ramsey (2017)
  • Jessica Croom (2016)
  • Zach Taraschi (2015)
  • Nicole Zamora (2013)
  • Xian Dong (2012)
  • Mark Middleton (2011)
  • DeannWilliams (2011)
  • Emilee Duerksen (2010)
  • Batina Gaughan (2009)
  • Mark Simpson (2009)

Richard D. Wright Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Applied GIS Projects

  • Conner Davis (2024)
  • Amber Ransom (2022)
  • Joey Martinez (2021)
  • Racheal Tovar (2020)
  • Evan Dolly (2019)
  • Paige Ramse (2018)
  • Paige Ramsey (2017)
  • Ryan Blickem (2016)
  • Ryan Blickem (2015)
  • Shelby van Arnam (2014)
  • Madelyn Schoderbek (2013)
  • Rebecca Martin (2012)
  • Alma Pacheco (2011)
  • Katrina Barney (2010)
  • Courtney Thompson (2010)
  • Randy Carr (2009)