MUSKEGON MI: On Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at Muskegon Community College’s Sturrus Technology Center, 130 geography college professors and students will kick-off the East Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers (ELDAAG) conference with a unique service project. Conference attendees will recycle computers and other technology items and attempt to fill a 28-foot truck parked in front of the Center at 388 West Clay in downtown Muskegon.
Comprenew of Grand Rapids will be on site to teach participants about the dangers of throwing away technical items improperly. They will assist participants in dismantling and properly disposing of obsolete computers, cell phones, and other technology items within their mobile recycling center. Muskegon Community College is the first host institution to include a regional Gamma Theta Upsilon (International Geography Honor Society; GTU) service event as part of the conference which is co-sponsored by the Geography Clubs/GTU chapters of Muskegon Community College and Western Michigan University. Comprenew has the highest level of certification in the US for the recycling of technological devices which contain “conflict minerals” harvested from places like Africa, India, China, and Malaysia. These conflict minerals can be damaging if they are dumped in landfills.
This is the first time Muskegon Community College (MCC) or any community college in the nation has hosted the ELDAAG annual conference. Participants primarily from Michigan and Ohio include faculty and students from MCC, Ohio State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids Community College, and many others. The American Association of Geographers is the largest professional organization of geographers in the United States.
On Friday, October 28, 2022, conference participants will attend sessions at the Muskegon Community College main campus located at 221 South Quarterline Road. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. participants will enjoy lunch while exploring the “geography of food trucks.” The participating food trucks will be Hamburger Mikeys and Pennant Pizza. Participants will stay at the Delta Hotel by Marriott in downtown Muskegon and enjoy a walking tour of the downtown area.
Contact: Diana Casey, MCC Geography Faculty, 231-777-0638, diana.casey@muskegoncc.edu
Isabel Grace, Interim Public Information Officer, 231-777-0582, Isabel.grace@muskegoncc.edu
Photo Caption: Dr. Rudy Bartels, MCC alumnus, founding member of the MCC Geo Club, and former MCC instructor, will be an integral part of the team hosting the ELDAAG event. Images from MCC’s main campus and downtown campus.