TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The National Council for Geographic Education recently chose Dr. Gerald Webster, a professor of geography at The University of Alabama, to receive its annual Distinguished Teaching Award for 2001.

This year, awards were given to 39 kindergarten-12th grade teachers and 10 university/college professors from the United States and Canada. The DTA Awards recognize outstanding contributions to geographic education. Colleagues submitted nominations for the award, and then judging panels selected awardees from the elementary, middle/junior high, senior high and post-secondary level.

NCGE president Robert S. Bednarz of Texas A&M University will present plaques to Webster and other recipients at the awards banquet during the NCGE’s annual conference, Aug. 1-4, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Awardees will also receive free registration to the conference and a one- year membership in the NCGE.

The NCGE was chartered in 1915 to promote geographic education at all levels of instruction. It currently has 4,200 members worldwide.