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Research Opportunities for Students

The Geography Department believes that it is important to give students the opportunity to put the knowledge they gain in the classroom to use in the real world. We therefore encourage students to work with faculty members in developing individual research projects. In the past, students have pursued topics around Virginia, across the country, and internationally.

Undergraduate Research Grants

Geography students have received funding from Mary Washington's Undergraduate Research Grants program to support a variety of research projects. Students develop a project in consultation with a faculty member and prepare a grant proposal. In the last several years, a number of students have received substantial funding from the college to pursue independent research.

Grant Recipients and their Research Topics:

  • Stuart Geiger, “Rock Glacier Impact on Stream Hydrology in Alpine Basins: A Case Study of the La Sal Mountains of Utah.” Summer 2005.
  • Liz Sydnor, "The Future of the Hedgerow Landscape in Ireland." Summer 2003.
  • Erin McCarty, "Shut the Door Behind Me: Rural Gentrification in Delaplane, Virginia." Spring 2002.
  • Katherine Weber, "Place Perceptions of Floodplain Residents in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri." Fall 2001.
  • Angela Jacobini, "Wild Horses in the American West: Cattle, Conservation, and the Bureau of Land Management." Fall 2000.
  • Sharon Wilcox, "Cultural Survival in the 21st Century: The Garifuna of Belize." Fall 2000.
  • Sharon Wilcox, "The Rise and Decline of an African-American Commercial District: Richmond's Second Street." Spring 2000.
  • Peter Stoughton, "The Revitalization of Richmond's Historic Tobacco Row." Summer 2000.

Departmental Honors Program

The Geography Department offers excellent students with individual research interests the opportunity to graduate from University of Mary Washington with honors in Geography. For more information on the requirements for graduating with departmental honors, click here.

Recent Recipients of Departmental Honors:

  • Stuart Geiger (2006), “Permafrost in the La Sal Mountains of Utah: Development of a Model to Assist Hydrological Investigations of Rock Glaciers.” Supervised by Dr. Joseph Nicholas
  • Liz Sydnor (2003), “The Future of the Hedgerow Landscape in Ireland.” Supervised by Dr. Dawn Bowen
  • Megan Frascella (2004), "Built on Chocolate: The Tourist Identity of Hershey, Pennsylvania." Supervised by Dr. Stephen Hanna
  • Katherine Weber (2002), "Sense of Place: Place Perceptions of Floodplain Residents in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri." Supervised by Dr. Erin Fouberg.
  • Sharon Wilcox (2001), "The Garifuna of Belize: Strategies of Representation." Supervised by Dr. Dawn Bowen.
  • Brendan Madigan (2000), "A Study of the Microhabitat Influence on Eastern Bluebird (Sialia Sialis) Nesting Success at the Battleground Athletic Complex, Fredericksburg, Virginia." Supervised by Dr. Dawn Bowen.