Western Division, Canadian Association of Geographers

Awards Presented by the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers

The Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers recognizes individuals in the division who have made outstanding contributions to the discipline by the awarding of:

The J. Lewis Robinson Award for Meritorious Service
The William C. Wonders Award for Scholarly Distinction
The J. Alistair McVey Award for Teaching Excellence

Details of the award criteria and the names of previous recipients are presented below.

Normally, one award will be made in each category each year at the AGM, following a call for, and review of, nominations by the Executive Committee.

Members of the WDCAG are invited to nominate the names of individuals deserving of recognition by submitting a nomination form and any accompanying documentation to the Chair of the WDCAG Awards Committee. Click here to download nomination form.

Nominations must be received by February 23, 2024

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WDCAG Awards

The J. Lewis Robinson Award for Meritorious Service

The purpose of The J. Lewis Robinson Award for Meritorious Service is to recognize a member of the WD-CAG for exceptional professional service over a number of years (note: prior to 2006 the award was presented as a Meritorious Service Award). This could be in the university or college education of geography students, in university or college administration, in the public service, as a member of a learned society or in any other way that has significantly advanced the profession, practice or reputation of geography, especially in BC or Alberta. This award is named after Professor Lew Robinson who was a long-time member of the Department of Geography, University of British Columbia. During his professional career Robinson remained a staunch supporter of, and advocate for, both geography and the WD-CAG.

The William C. Wonders Award for Scholarly Distinction

The purpose of The William C. Wonders Award for Scholarly Distinction is to recognize a member of the WD-CAG for outstanding scholarly accomplishment in geography. This could be for either a sustained contribution over a career or over a number of years or for a single major contribution to the discipline. Of particular importance would be either scholarly contributions to geography in Western Canada or contributions to the discipline by Western Canadian geographers. This award is named after Professor William C. Wonders, former and distinguished long-time member of the Department of Geography at the University of Alberta.

The J. Alistair McVey Award for Teaching Excellence

The purpose of The J. Alistair McVey Award for Teaching Excellence is to recognize a geography instructor known for the quality of their teaching. This is in recognition of the central importance of teaching excellence in geographic education. The recipient is intended to be a teacher in a university, college or secondary school in BC or Alberta. The recipient need not be a member of the WD-CAG. This award is named after Alistair McVey, a well known and highly-respected geography instructor in the BC college system for more than 35 years.

The WDCAG Coffee Mug of Distinction

The purpose of this award is to offer a small token of appreciation for the significant contributions individuals have made to the WDCAG over the years.

Click here to download nomination form.

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