Mapping a Route to Success
Jacob Lohr has always loved maps.
Their labels. Their legends. Their scales. They all work together to tell a story.
At UMW, he merged his fascination with cartography with a major in social environmental science – and a geographical information system certificate (GIS) – to plot a route to his future.
“When I learned I could build my interests in maps and data science into a certificate to complement my major, I was more than excited,” said Lohr, who also served as captain of the Eagles cross-country and track and field teams.
A course called “Mobile GIS and GPS” taught him how to use data to paint a picture, and it gave him a goal – a career as an environmental GIS analyst.
Projects like pinpointing blue-light emergency stations on campus and turning his running routes into heat maps fueled his success, as did his mentor, Professor of Geography Jackie Gallagher. She helped him land a scholarship with the International Erosion Control Association and an internship with the City of Fredericksburg, using geospatial tools like ArcGIS to study the hydrological landscape and its role in stormwater management.
An Honors student, award-winning resident assistant and member of the Chi Alpha Sigma honor society, Lohr earned a collection of athletic medals. Like his races, his UMW journey ran on discipline and determination, with a course and a mentor that pointed the way. Without them, he said, “I truly believe I may never have found an area of study I love this much. I found an honest academic passion at Mary Washington.”
