Physical Geography

James F. Petersen, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography at Texas State University in San Marcos, is a broadly trained physical geographer with strong interests in geomorphology and Earth science education. He enjoys writing about physical geography topics for the public and has written guidebooks and trail guides for parks. Dr. Petersen is a past president of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) and a recipient of a national teaching award. He has received the NCGE's highest honor for distinguished service to geography education. Dr. Petersen has written for and served as a senior consultant for nationally published educational materials, ranging from middle school through university level. His published articles address education in geomorphology, climate history and climate change; the environmental history of central Texas; the role of field methods in geography; earthquake hazards and geography education. Believing in the value of experiential learning in the field, Dr. Petersen has conducted extended field courses every year during his career, enabling students to learn about Earth environments, processes, features and locations through firsthand experience. Dorothy Sack, professor and department chair of geography at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, is a physical geographer who specializes in geomorphology. Her primary research interests emphasize arid region landforms, particularly the geomorphic evidence of paleolakes, which contribute to understanding Earth's paleoclimate. Other research themes include the impact of off-road vehicles on the landscape and the history of geomorphology. Dr. Sack has published research in a variety of professional journals and academic volumes as well as within Utah Geological Survey publications. Her work has been funded by numerous professional groups, including the National Geographic Society, National Science Foundation, American Association of Geographers (AAG) and American Chemical Society. She is active in professional organizations, having served as chair of both the Geomorphology and the History of Geography Specialty Groups of the AAG. She has also served in other offices for the AAG, Geological Society of America and History of Earth Sciences Society. In addition, she serves on the editorial boards for the journals Geomorphology and Physical Geography. Dr. Sack enjoys teaching as well as research and has received the Outstanding Teacher Award from Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences. Robert E. Gabler has nearly five decades of professional experience. He has taught for five years in public elementary and secondary schools, in addition to teaching geography at Hunter College, City of New York, Columbia University, and Western Illinois University. At times in his lengthy career at Western, he served as chairperson of the Department of Geography and Department of Geology, and University director of International Programs. He received three University Presidential Citations for Teaching Excellence and University Service, served two terms as chairperson of the Faculty Senate, edited the Bulletin of The Illinois Geographical Society, and authored numerous articles in state and national periodicals. He is a past president of the Illinois Geographical Society, former director of coordinators and past president of the National Council for Geographic Education, and the recipient of the NCGE George J. Miller Distinguished Service Award. During his tenure at Western, Dr. Gabler traveled widely throughout the United States, western and southern Europe, eastern Asia, and India, planning, organizing, and leading university exchange programs, conducting field research, and compiling extensive slide photograph files. His major publications include, editor: A HANDBOOK FOR GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS (Illinois Office of Public Instruction); co-author: FOLLETT ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES SERIES (Follett Publishing Company); senior author: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (Rinehart Press); and senior author: ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.