Mark Monmonier, professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, will be giving a speech today in the Carol A. Cartwright Hall at 11 a.m. He will be speaking on behalf of Kent State’s Geography Awareness Day.

Jay Lee, chairperson of the geography department, wants to reintroduce students to geography with Geography Awareness Day.

“(Geography Awareness Day) is promoting people’s understanding about what geography is,” he said. “We try to provide a different angle for people to understand what geography is.”

Monmonier’s speech, “Cartographic Propaganda: Mapping to Convince, Connive and Contest” is free and open to the public.

In addition to his speech, there will be demonstrations and exhibits taking place on the fourth floor of McGilvrey Hall from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m.

Lee said he would like to make others aware of what the geography department is accomplishing and these events are a way for that to happen.

“Geography is no longer just capitals and rivers,” he said. “Our department is active and something we would like other people to know.”

— Anna Riggenbach