The geographical society is honoring Paul Frederic for his outstanding contributions.

FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington professor of geography Paul Frederic was named the Distinguished Geographer of the Year Oct. 10 by the New England-St. Lawrence Valley Geographical Society.

The organization recognized Frederic for his outstanding contributions to geography, his students, the University of Maine at Farmington, the state of Maine and the New England region. The award was presented at the organization’s annual conference in Hartford, Conn.

Frederic, now in his 25th year at the University of Maine at Farmington, has consistently dedicated himself to quality teaching, as well as university and community service.

His efforts are numerous and varied and include contributions to rural development policy and land use regulation. The recent publication of his book on northern New England’s corn canning industry is also noteworthy and has received praise from academic peers. Frederic’s ongoing involvement in important Maine issues is complemented by his work in places far afield, including Namibia, China and Mongolia, according to UMF.

Frederic is currently examining the geographic dimensions of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), in Beijing and Toronto. Frederic is an invaluable resource for Maine and the New England region. He has been a catalyst for advancing the discipline of geography and shared his knowledge and expertise with students, faculty and members of the community alike.

In making the award, the organization announced, “This year marks 30 years of service to geography by Paul Frederic, 25 years as a member of the University of Maine at Farmington faculty. He teaches an amazing array of courses including Planning and Land Use, through which he and his students have provided the citizens of Maine’s western mountains with valuable service. His enthusiasm for geography and his understanding of the landscape is transmitted to his students whose eyes he has opened to the unique qualities of our region and beyond.

“Paul’s service to geography has included multiple books, monographs, papers, presentations and panels. He has served as the geographic society’s president and as the regional councilor to the Association of American Geographers.

Nationally, Frederic has been on the Long Range Planning, Archives and Association History and the 2004 Centennial Planning Committees for the Association of American Geographers, as well as chairman of the Historical Geography and Rural Development Specialty Groups. In addition, he has used his expertise as a geographer to serve the people of Maine as director of the Land Use Regulatory Committee, Governor’s Committee on Rural Development coordinator of the Maine Geographic Alliance, and locally on the Board of Directors of the Western Mountains Alliance, and selectman for the town of Starks.”

The New England St. Lawrence Valley Geographical Society is a division of the Association of American Geographers. The organization honors distinguished geographers each year. Previous recipients include UMF’S Myron Starbird and Albert Mitchell.

For more information, contact Cathleen McAnneny at [email protected] or 207-778-7443.