Monday, November 24, 2003

Wilmington, NC—Frank Ainsley, professor of earth sciences at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, has received the 2003 North Carolina Educator of the Year award in a ceremony at today’s annual meeting of the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers conference in Charlotte, N.C.

The North Carolina Geographical Society issues this award to recognize an educator who has made significant contributions to the development of geographic education within the state of North Carolina.

Ainsley is a cultural-historical geographer whose interests include rural settlement landscapes; ethnic landscapes; religious landscapes; historic preservation; and vernacular architecture. His regional interests are Southeastern United States, Colorado Plateau, Scandinavia and the Caribbean Islands (Barbados). Research projects include chattel houses and settlements in Barbados; tourism images and perceptions of Barbados; rural settlement patterns in Norway; and immigrant farm colonies in Southeastern North Carolina.

The nomination letter sent on his behalf, which details his many accomplishments, is located below.

He also received the 2003 H.H. Douglas Distinguished Service Award from the Pioneer America Society, an organization of geographers, historians and folk-life specialists who study material culture and vernacular landscapes. PAS, a national interdisciplinary professional organization focusing on material cultural studies whose membership includes historical geographers, historic preservationists, folk-life specialists, and architectural historians.





Dear Dr. Patton:

I am pleased to nominate Dr. W. Frank Ainsley for the North Carolina Geographic Society’s North Carolina Educator of the Year award. Frank has made outstanding contributions to geographic education in North Carolina at all levels and is highly deserving of this award.

Dr. Ainsley’s contribution to geographic education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington has been enormous. Frank joined the UNCW faculty in 1973, and during the past 30 years he has taught more than 25 different courses, not counting directed studies. Half of these courses were originally developed by Frank for UNCW. He has willingly carried a heavy teaching load that has averaged seven separate courses per year. These courses range from introductory-level basic studies courses (e.g., Introduction to Human Geography, World Geography, Introduction to Physical Geography) to upper-level majors’ courses (e.g., Historical Geography of the Middle East, Principles of Land Use Planning) to graduate courses (e.g., Historic Preservation Planning, Historical Geography of the United States). Frank’s classroom performance is excellent. Every year, student evaluations praise Dr. Ainsley’s teaching; this year’s comments included: “wonderfully intelligent teacher absolutely able to inspire and teach,” “fantastic teacher,” “best teacher I ever had,” “Great class! Organization and presentation was excellent,” “I learned a great deal,” “very prepared and knowledgeable,” “thanks for your high expectations.”

Frank Ainsley also excels in working one-on-one with students. He has directed more than 65 students in Directed Individual Studies on a wide range of topics as well as four students in Honors Projects. In addition, despite the fact that UNCW has no graduate program in geography, Frank has gone out of his way to be involved in graduate education. He has taught graduate classes and directed four graduate theses and served on additional Master’s committees in the MA History and MA Liberal Studies program. Students greatly appreciate the assistance and guidance he has given them, and Frank has been recognized by graduating seniors each semester since 1987 as a faculty member who has had a significant impact on their lives. Two such students recognized Frank this semester. One stated, “He has truly made a difference in my experience here at UNCW. He has gone out of his way to personalize the relationship of professor and student. He helped me to enjoy my classes and look forward to going to class and learning.” The other student commented, “This person has given me priceless insight as to what is needed for Graduate School, I will be forever grateful.” These comments are typical of those received every year in recognition of Frank Ainsley’s efforts on behalf of geography students.

Dr. Ainsley is in charge of the general area of human, or cultural geography, at UNCW and has initiated and developed departmental courses in this area and in the area of planning, including rural planning, land use planning, and historic preservation planning. During the past six years in which I have chaired the Department of Earth Sciences, Frank has served as the Geography Coordinator. In this capacity, he has been in charge of scheduling geography offerings and has chaired the Geography Curriculum Committee. This committee is in charge of all curricular issues relating to geography, and in the past few years has made significant revisions to our curriculum. As the senior geographer, Frank also serves as a mentor and role model for newer faculty.

Frank Ainsley’s contribution to K-12 education has also been outstanding. He has worked directly with public school teachers by offering numerous workshops through such venues as the NC Geographic Alliance Summer Geography Institute, NC Social Studies Conference, and conferences in Columbus, Harnett, and Wayne counties. He has been a judge for the North Carolina Final Competition of the National Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the North Carolina Geographic Alliance every year but two since 1990. Frank also enjoys making presentations to school classes, and has made dozens of such presentations over the years, especially to classes using his textbook.

Frank has been a prolific author of elementary and secondary textbooks. His books include the following, all published by Silver Burdett & Ginn:

1988: North Carolina: The Land and Its People (used by 75% of all North Carolina fourth graders between 1988 and 1993).

1988: Communities and Resources (third grade text used nationwide for about 10 years)

1991: Virginia History and Geography (fourth grade text still being used in some Virginia school districts.)

1996: Comparing Regions (fourth grade text still being used in some school districts nationwide)

1997: Virginia USA (fourth grade text being used in some districts in Virginia.)

1998: North Carolina USA (fourth grade text written for North Carolina schools)

1998: World Geography (leading seventh grade text for many years; still selling well around the country.)

Since 1997, Frank Ainsley has also authored “North Carolina,” Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia; this summary article about North Carolina geography is widely available as a CD-ROM or online via the Internet. Through his textbooks and now his electronic publications, Frank has reached a wide audience of school children, teachers, and others interested in geography.

Dr. Ainsley has also taught many classes for the general public as a service to the community and region. For instance he has taught a variety of Elderhostel courses and made presentations at other community venues (e.g., New Hanover Public Library, local churches, Rotary Club, Women’s Club, UNCW Lifelong Learning Institute). His topics range from folk architecture to geography of the Cape Fear region, the Caribbean and the Middle East to the Dead Sea Scrolls. He is a sought-after member of the UNCW Division of Public Services Speakers Bureau and the Wilmington Preservation Network Speakers Bureau. Through all these activities, Frank transmits his love of geography to the general public and enables them to see the excitement in the field.

Frank has been recognized previously for his contributions to geographic education and his service to and beyond the profession. He has received a Certificate of Appreciation every year since 1992 from the National Geographic Society. He was nominated in 1984 for the National Council for Geographic Education’s “Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award” at the college level, and in 1987 he received a Certificate of Appreciation from Governor James Martin for volunteer services to North Carolina's people. He has been honored frequently on campus for his excellence in teaching, and he has also been honored by his professional societies by election to office (past president of the North Carolina Geographical Society and secretary-treasurer of the Pioneer America Society).

I cannot imagine a more fitting recipient of the 2003 North Carolina Educator of the Year award than Frank Ainsley.

Sincerely,



Patricia H. Kelley

Department Chair