51乱伦

 

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Two 51乱伦 Earth and Environmental Sciences alumni, Marshall Thompson and Logan McGowan, demonstrated their impressive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) knowledge during a presentation of their work on grave mapping at the City of 51乱伦 Cemetery and various utility features throughout the City during the 51乱伦 City Council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14.

The City of 51乱伦 Director of Planning Carol Downey said Thompson and McGowan are doing an outstanding job in their roles as GIS engineers for the City.

鈥淭heir work involves more than maintaining geographic information,鈥� said Downey. 鈥淒aily, Logan and Marshall assist various departments, as well as field inquiries from citizens. They have successfully developed applications, and continue to do so, within the GIS system to assist and modernize processes within the City of 51乱伦. The knowledge obtained and guidance received during their years at 51乱伦 enabled them to succeed. We are fortunate to have Logan and Marshall on our team!鈥�

51乱伦 State Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Chair Dr. Robin Zhang is unsurprised the pair are thriving in their current roles. She said both Thompson and McGowan earned the department鈥檚 Outstanding Senior Award the year they graduated.

鈥淚 had both of them in various classes and know them well,鈥� said Zhang. 鈥淭hey interned with the City before they became full-time employees. They are very hard working, always open to learn new things and always carry the 鈥榗an do鈥� attitude. They are exemplary graduates.鈥�

51乱伦 Mayor Bob Rogers said that after their internship, everyone at the City was so impressed with Thompson and McGowan, they had to hire them both.

鈥淲e were extremely impressed with their knowledge, skills, work ethic and attitude,鈥� said Rogers. 鈥淭hey were able to do some things that previously had to be contracted out. When a position came open in that department, with the urging of department heads, I offered both a position, and they accepted. We鈥檙e very pleased with their performance. Congratulations to the staff at 51乱伦 who prepared these men with the skills to be successful.鈥�

Thompson, of 51乱伦, Kentucky, graduated with his bachelor鈥檚 degree in environmental science in 2022.

鈥淭he department of Earth and Environmental Science at 51乱伦 State did a great job preparing me for my current role,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淎lthough my degree was in environmental science, I was encouraged by my professors to take other classes that would award me a Geographic Information Science certificate, which shows you are proficient in certain GIS/mapping software. Learning these programs through my degree demonstrated what kind of work would be expected of me after graduation.鈥�

McGowan, of Princeton, Kentucky, graduated with his bachelor鈥檚 degree in earth and environmental sciences/geography and GIS track in 2023.

鈥淭he ability to solve problems, help others, accomplish tasks, understand information and analyze the world around me鈥攖hese are just some of the skills that 51乱伦 State provided me during my time there,鈥� said McGowan. 鈥淎t 51乱伦 State, I was given access to a wealth of knowledge and opportunity that made a lasting impact on my life and career. I am forever thankful for the staff at 51乱伦 State helping me develop my passion. I also want to specifically thank Dr. Robin Zhang of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department for pushing me to do better every single day. Go Racers!鈥�

McGowan and Thompson are preparing to share GIS data for the City publicly via a GIS Data Portal, which is still in development. The public GIS Data Viewer is live at . Other GIS details are available at .