Geography professor honored with lifetime achievement award

Longtime University of Wisconsin–Madison geographer Waltraud Brinkmann has been selected as the recipient of the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Climate Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers.

The award recognizes substantial contributions to climatology and geography research as well as achievements in teaching, mentoring and service.

“Wally has accomplished an amazing amount over her academic career,” a career lasting more than three decades and covering topics as diverse as atmospheric hazards and regional climate change modeling, says Matt Turner, chair of the UW–Madison geography department. “Her research has spanned a large range of issues, all marked by exceptional quality and attention to detail.”

Not content to rest on her laurels, Brinkmann, now professor emeritus, remains active in the Center for Climatic Research and recently delved into a new area of research, studying drought in the western United States.

Turner also praises Brinkmann’s devotion to teaching and mentoring graduate students. “She’s a good ambassador for the field,” he says.

Brinkmann will receive the award in April at the Association of American Geographers meeting in San Francisco.