Fairmont State Becomes First in West Virginia with Lifetime Inductees into National Geospatial Technology Honor Society
Fairmont State University is proud to announce that it is the first higher education institution in West Virginia to have lifetime inductees into Gamma Sigma Theta – the National Honor Society for Geospatial Technology. This prestigious honor recognizes students and faculty for excellence in geospatial technology and applied geographic research.
This year, seven individuals were inducted into the honor society, including four cross-disciplinary students and three geography faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts. Each inductee receives lifetime membership and gains access to specialized training, software, and professional mentorship through key national technology partners, including the Geospatial Professional Network, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the GIS Certification Institute, and DroneDeploy.
Student members also receive a ceremonial honor cord to wear at graduation, recognizing their academic and professional achievements in the geospatial field.
2025 student inductees:
- Ella Schellhase, a biology major from Wheeling, West Virginia, researching bird migration patterns
- Kirkland Waltham, a communications major from Philippi, West Virginia, focusing on meteorology and
media
- Daniel Pracht, a history major from Paw Paw, West Virginia, studying digital humanities and historical
geography
- Zachary Elliot, a survey engineering major from Salem, West Virginia, exploring innovative applications
in archaeology
Faculty inductees:
- Barbara MacLennan, assistant professor of geography
- Frank LaFone, director of institutional effectiveness and geography faculty
- Dan Gurash, associate professor of sociology
“I am incredibly proud of Fairmont State University for joining Gamma Sigma Theta, the National Honor Society for Geospatial Technology. This induction recognizes the hard work of students who chose to take geography courses or add a geographic information science minor--along with working on their majors to build skills in geospatial science,” said MacLennan. “Geospatial is one of the fastest growing industries embedded in everything we do. It is transforming every facet of our lives across West Virginia and the world. Gamma Sigma Theta reflects the geospatial community and Fairmont State University’s commitment to preparing students and early career professionals for high-demand careers.”
This milestone reflects Fairmont State University’s vision of being A Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home. As A Great Place to Learn, the university offers students hands-on opportunities to develop real-world skills beyond the classroom, preparing them for meaningful careers in innovative and evolving industries. As A Great Place to Work, Fairmont State provides faculty and staff with opportunities to apply their expertise in dynamic ways, expand their professional networks and engage in interdisciplinary teaching and research. And as A Great Place to Call Home, the university is proud to bring national partnerships and cutting-edge resources to the Mountain State — enhancing access and opportunities not only for its campus community, but for students, professionals and residents across West Virginia.
To learn more about the Geospatial Technologies Honor Society and Fairmont State’s
contributions, visit the interactive story map:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3e54b622a6d747d3b02c12d26ecd359d
