The State Normal and Industrial School (now known as UNCG) offered its first geography course in 1926 through the Department of Economics. In 1929, a “Geography and Nature Studies” concentration was established through the Department of Biology. The concentration would simply become known as a “Geography” concentration in 1933. An independent Geography Department was eventually established in 1941 and until 2018 offered three concentrations in Urban Planning, Earth Science/ Environmental Studies, and Geographic Information Science.
As of 2018, the Department of Geography was integrated into the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability Studies, offering a B.A. and a B.S. in Geography.
Department Heads:
Givler Hall (-1941)
Elizabeth Arundel (1941-1960)
Craig Dozier (1960-1980)
John Hidore (1980-1987)
John Rees (1987-1993)
Gordon Bennett (1993-2003)
Jeffery Patton (2003-2018)
Corey Johnson (2018-2023)
Dan Royall (2023-present)
Department Names:
Geography and Nature Studies offered within the Department of Biology (1929-1933)
Geography concentration offered within the Department of Biology (1933-1941)
Department of Geography (1941-current)