We are proud to announce the new Department of Geography & GIScience Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as our first recipient! This annual award will honor graduates who have made significant contributions to society and/or to their profession that bring distinction to themselves, our department, and the University of Illinois.

Dr. Janice Monk (MA, 1963, PhD, 1972) is widely known for her path-breaking research on geographies of women and gender and her distinguished scholarly and service contributions to the discipline of geography. She is the former executive director, and currently Social Scientist Emerita at the Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) at the University of Arizona, where she is also Research Professor in the School of Geography and Development..

Monk’s many national and international honors and awards include: Lifetime Achievement Honors from the Association of American Geographers, the George J. Miller Distinguished Service Award from the National Council for Geographic Education, the Laureat d’Honneur from the International Geographical Union, and an honorary doctorate degree from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

We are hosting an award ceremony this year, and look forward celebrating Dr. Monk’s many achievements and contributions to geography as she returns to campus.