GIS department holds annual Geo Day

Troy University’s geospatial informatics department held its annual Geo Day on March 12 in the Trojan Center. 

Local high schoolers and community college students from across Alabama came to learn more about Troy’s land surveying program and what the industry itself has to offer.  

“Students should come so that they can learn something new, because very few people know what surveying is, few people even know what geospatial information science (GIS) is,” said Denise Matthes, the geospatial informatics department secretary and organizer of the event.  

“Students will be able to experience GIS maps, look at surveying equipment and learn about Troy’s programs but also learn what professionals are doing within these careers.” 

Attendees listened to special guests from leading surveying companies and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) speak about how land surveyors and GIS map makers are needed for construction, real estate and even for emergency services. All the guest speakers were proud Troy graduates that were happy to come back and promote their alma mater.  

Attendees were also able to meet and hear from students and professors alike about why they love their field. Additionally, thedepartment and ALDOT representatives had a variety of technologies on display for students to learn about such as tripods and cameras that surveying students often use on campus and specialty equipment like drones. 

Many of Troy’s surveying and GIS students first learned about their future field of study and careers when they came to Geo Day as high schoolers themselves.  

“I came three years ago to Geo Day, and that pretty much decided what I wanted to do,” said Turner Claybrook, a junior surveying major from Luverne, Alabama. “As a high school student, I came two years in a row, and I fell in love with it.”  

Troy University is the only school in the state that guarantees students will be ABET certified and ready to become surveyors immediately after graduation.  

“This is a great career to be in because you can do so many different jobs with this degree,” said Grady Taylor, a senior surveying major from Spanish Fort, Alabama.  

“It's very universal, it’s a good career that it has a long-lasting impact and you go to bed at night and knowing that you made a difference. 

“You can help first responders. You can help with political campaigns, 

weather maps – anything and everything. It's a good, helpful career.”  

Those who are interested in learning more about the geospatial informatics department or careers in the surveying industry can contact Dr. Steve Ramroop at sramroop@troy.edu or Grady Taylor at gtaylor224890@troy.edu.