A map created at Humboldt State by Cassandra Hansen, 2006 Geography alumna, has been selected for the 2007 National Geographic Award in Mapping by the Association of American Geographers. According to the head judge, Hansen's entry was part of the most eclectic and accomplished group of entries in the three years I have been a part of the review process. For the first time, we invited entries from Europe and the United States. The award comes with a $1200 cash prize.
The map details hiking trails, lakes, streams, and roads, as well as climate data for the Mt. Shasta region. The map, which looks 3D but is actually 2D, received rave reviews from the judges. "Very accomplished and technically proficient," stated one judge. "Beautiful... worthy of hanging on a wall of my home," said another.
The mapping project was "part of a practicum class at HSU, which provides real life cartographic work for students," Hansen said. "Other projects that I worked on in this class are book illustrations and other individual maps." Hansen worked under the direction of Mary Beth Cunha, Geography lecturer and lab manager.
Hansen, who spent more than 300 hundred hours on her map, has a degree in Geography and a certificate in GIS from Humboldt. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Physical Geography at the University of Nevada, Reno.