Geography Awards

Lucille McClish Oberlander Award

The Lucille McClish Oberlander Award was established in 1989 in memory of Lucille McClish Oberlander in order to create an annual award for the outstanding undergraduate major in Physical Geography. Lucille was the wife of geomorphologist, Professor Ted Oberlander, who retired from our department in 1993. Mrs. Oberlander was an undergraduate major in our department, graduating in 1958, and served as a secretary in our department from 1960 - 1963. Recipients of this award have an emphasis in Physical Geography and a minimum of a 3.5 GPA.

The award winner is identified and selected by the Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $1,000.

James J. Parsons Award for Field Research

The James J. Parsons Award for Field Research provides support for Berkeley Geography majors with good academic standing who have undertaken or plan to undertake field research in geography. Research topics could range from studying social and geographical changes in the inner-city to the physical geography of landslides or desert landscapes.

Prospective recipients apply in late March and are asked to share a brief description (1-2 pages) of the field research they are proposing to do or have recently completed. In the description, students discuss the major questions their research seeks to answer, the field methods they will use/used, and specifics on where and when their field research will take/has taken place.

The award winner is selected by the Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $2,500.

David A. Rose Award

The David A. Rose Award in Physical Geography was established in memory of David Andrew Rose who received his Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley in 1997. He graduated at the top of his class and received the prestigious Oberlander Award in Physical Geography. He was undergoing training in New Delhi for Tele Atlas when he died in a tragic accident in Agra, India.

This award provides financial assistance to undergraduate students in the Department of Geography at UC Berkeley. Recipients are selected from among the undergraduate students in the Department of Geography who are in good standing and demonstrate academic merit. Preference is given to students whose course of study focuses on physical geography and/or cartography.

Prospective recipients apply in late March and are asked to submit a short essay (~250 words) telling us about their interest and experience with Physical Geography and/or Cartography.

The award winner is selected by the Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $1,200.

Cartography Award

The Cartography Award was created to recognize an outstanding cartography undergraduate student.

The award winner is nominated and selected by Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $500.

Departmental Citation

The Departmental Citation is awarded to one student each year in recognition of exceptional undergraduate work across all realms of Geographical inquiry.

The award winner is nominated and selected by Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $1,000.

Undergraduate Student Service Award

The Undergraduate Student Service Award recognizes an undergraduate student who has shown dedicated, ongoing service on behalf of the department of Geography and the undergraduate student community.

The award winner is nominated and selected by Geography faculty in May. Award amount: $500.

To search the Scholarship Connection’s database for other opportunities, visit their website.