Geography & Environmental Science
Student organizations
WHERE AND WHEN DO WE MEET?
Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm in 215 Cowley Hall
HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
Membership is open to all students on campus. Contact the Geography and Environmental Science Club Presidents or the department ADA awillis-frels@uwlax.edu to learn more about becoming a member.
Membership requirements involve attending meetings and events. There are no membership dues.
WHAT TYPES OF THINGS DO WE DO?
- Park and Trail Cleanups
- Myrick Marsh Cleanups
- Earth Fairs
CLUB OFFICERS
- Finn Patenaude (President) - patenaude0129@uwlax.edu
- Emma Chase (Co-President) - chase1720@uwlax.edu
- Nicole Cattelino (Treasurer) - cattelino8481@uwlax.edu
- Swasthika Selvakumar (Community Outreach) - selvakumar1229@uwlax.edu
To learn more about UWL's Geography and Environmental Science club, visit their webpage.
GAMMA THETA UPSILON HONOR SOCIETY
Congratulations to our 2025 Gamma Theta Upsilon Initiates Chase Jones, Dylan Trudell, Evan Gariepy (front row), Shawn Wichelt, Kyle Dregney and Koye Leenderts (back row). (Not pictured are Nathan Hansen, Josh Stratman and Liz Wolff)
Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) is an international honor society in geography. GTU was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931. Members of GTU have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography. GTU chapter activities support geography knowledge and awareness. The UWL chapter, Epsilon Eta, was founded on May 5, 1974 and has 443 members to date.
THE PURPOSES OF GTU ARE:
- to further professional interest by affording a common organization for those interested in the field of Geography;
- to strengthen student and professional training via academic experiences in addition to those of the classroom and lab;
- to advance the status of Geography as a cultural and practical discipline for study and investigation;
- to encourage student research of high quality and to promote an outlet for publication;
- to create and administer funds for furthering graduate study and/or research in the field of Geography.
Congratulations to the 2025 initiates to the Epsilon Eta Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon: Kyle Dregney, Evan Gariepy, Nathan Hansen, Chase Jones, Koye Leenderts, Josh Stratman, Dylan Trudell, Shawn Wichelt and Liz Wolff.
Benefits of GTU Membership
Most chapters sponsor speakers, campus-wide programs, field trips and social events, and participate in service functions. Members can:
- participate in numerous extracurricular activities
- build and establish networks with other students and faculty
- explore things not normally covered in classroom activities
- be eligible to apply for Gama Theta Upsilon scholarships
- demonstrate dedication in their career fields
Why Should You Join GTU?
- GTU membership is earned through superior scholarship, it is an honor, and a professional distinction.
- No further membership dues are paid to the national organization after the initiation fee.
- Members may remain active in GTU after graduation by joining Omega Omega, the Alumni Chapter of GTU.
Regular vs Honorary Memberships
There are two classes of membership in GTU:
Regular member:
- Initiates must have completed a minimum of three geography courses; have a 3.30 GPA in geography and overall; and have completed at least three semesters of college coursework.
Honorary Member:
- A chapter may extend honorary membership to anyone whom it feels has, by exploration, research, lecturing, publishing, teaching, or any other way contributed to marked advancement in any phase of Geography. The fees for Honorary membership are paid by the local chapter.
Visiting Geographical Scientist Program (VGSP)
The Visiting Geographical Scientist Program, funded by GTU and administered by the Association of American Geographers (AAG), provides an opportunity for chapters to host a distinguished geographer on their campus. The visiting geographer will give a lecture on a topic in geography and meet with faculty, students, and administrators. Chapters should contact the AAG for information about the Visiting Geographical Scientist Program.
For more information talk to your advisor or the department chair.
Learn More About GTU
Download our brochure for more information
GAMMA THETA UPSILON FACULTY ADVISOR
- Associate Teaching Professor
- 2030 Cowley Hall
- jkueny@uwlax.edu
- 608.785.8337
Group and Event Opportunities at UWL
To find other events or groups on campus, please visit the MyOrgs website.