Geography Department: When did you graduate from MU and what degree did you acquire?

Roberts: After four years at Mizzou, I completed my BA degree, with honors in geography, in June 1972, and received my MA degree in December 1973.

Geography Department: What are your fondest memories of being a part of geography?

Roberts: As a teaching assistant, I was assigned a desk in the graduate assistants’ room in the geography department, which at that time was in McAlester Hall at the edge of campus. It was the first time I found myself in the company of other students who were as geeky about maps and geography as I was. About half of the graduate students at that time were Vietnam veterans. The veterans were older, more experienced in life, many were married, and had traveled the world more than those of us just completing our bachelor’s degree. The camaraderie among the students had a positive impact on the level of effort we each put forth in our studies. Friendly academic competition was complimented by off-campus parties and field trips. One field trip I remember was climbing the bluffs along the Missouri River near Easley, Missouri, with Dr. Noble and his family and several others. The geography program forged strong bonds among the graduate students and fostered friendships that, for me, have lasted a lifetime.

Geography Department: What were some of the most important concepts you learned while taking geography classes?

Roberts: Communication is the key concept I learned in the Mizzou geography program. Whether I am teaching a class, drawing a map, or writing a paper, I was taught to listen to what I am saying, look at what the map content is telling me, and think about what I am writing. I can still hear Dr. Wheeler and Dr. Kostbade telling me that I want to answer two questions: “So what?” and “Who cares?” —  If my lecture, map, or paper does not answer these questions, I have failed to get my message across. I must explain or illustrate why my topic is important, and describe or show who is impacted and what the significance of this topic is to the listener or reader. These communication skills have served me well in all the jobs I have had throughout my career.

Geography Department: Would you recommend the MU Department of Geography to other students? Why or why not?

Roberts: Well, I must admit that it has been more than 46 years since I last attended Mizzou, but after looking at the current geography department curriculum, I see that there are quite a few changes for the good. 

Today there are twice the number of faculty positions, and the faculty is more diverse in the range of topics offered than when I was in school. Mizzou geography has moved into the 21st century with courses such as Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, geospatial technologies, geoinformatics and climate change. 

And there are other new courses such as environmental change, globalization and identity, the city, geography and planning, and geography of travel and tourism that are very relevant in today’s world. The traditional courses in regional, economic, physical, historical, and cultural geography are the foundation of geography upon which these new courses build. The courses offered in this program are spot-on the hot topics geographers need to know in today’s working world. 

Mizzou geography has had a tradition of hiring excellent professors, and has turned out graduates who are qualified to teach geography and to practice applied geography in business and government. I would expect the current faculty follows in this tradition. Based on my experience in the department and on the current program of courses now being offered, yes, I would recommend Mizzou geography to other students.

To read the full article, click https://geography.missouri.edu/news/alumni-corner-david-roberts