NEURISA Special Achievement Award

Potential Recipients: Geospatial or Information Technology Professionals

Criterion: Through the use of geospatial or other information technologies, the individual has made a significant contribution that greatly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization; or realizes a significant return on investment; or greatly improves the quality of services or lives. This contribution may be a single act or a cumulative performance. Significance will be measured by a positive impact on an organization or a community.

Nomination Process: Nominations will be solicited from geospatial or information technologies professionals and the Board. Announcements will be made on the NEURISA web site and through email blasts throughout the year. A web-based form will be provided for submitting nominations. Nomination deadline will be 2 months prior to the annual NEURISA Day conference to ensure that the selection committee will have ample time to complete the selection process. Nomination process to begin June 2012.

Selection Process: A committee of three individuals (president, president-elect and past-president) will select from nominees submitted based upon a set of predefined criterion. The NEURISA Special Achievement Award does not need to be given annually, but rather only given in years when someone truly deserves due to his or her contributions. This award can be shared when more than one outstanding individual are selected within the same year.

2011 Recipient: Congratulations to Dr. Zuo-Gong Xia, Professor of Environmental, Earth and Ocean Sciences, and Vice Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives at the university of Massachusetts/Boston, for receiving the inaugural NEURISA Special Achievement Award for 2011. 

As a longtime educator, motivator and mentor to countless students, Dr. Xia has greatly influenced the success of the many, who have gone on to successful careers as GIS professionals. He was the founder of the GIT Certificate program at UMass Boston, and this program continues to turn out the next generation of GIS technicians, analysts and programmers. He instilled the interest in and enthusiasm for GIS, so I'm certain his legacy will continue for years to come. Dr. Xia truly is a special individual who not only has achieved himself but has passed along this gift to others.

The award was presented to Dr. Xia at our annual one day conference, NEURISA Day 2011 at the Old Sturbridge Village, MA.

NEURISA Superior & Dedicated Service Award

Potential recipients:  Members of the NEURISA Board of Directors and other individuals providing assistance to the organization

2010 Recipient:  Congratulations to Chris French, NEURISA Secretary and Communications Coordinator, for recieving the inaugural Superior and Dedicated Service Award for 2010. The announcement was made at our annual one day conference, NEURISA Day 2010. Chris is also the Senior Account Manager at ESRI, Boston, MA.