Dr. Roy A. Welch was named the 2006 SAIC/Estes Memorial Teaching Award recipient for his many years of excellence in teaching techniques, skills, concepts and theory of air photo interpretation, remote sensing of the environment, photogrammetry, geographic information systems, field surveying and Global Positioning Systems.
The SAIC Estes Memorial Teaching Award was inaugurated in 2003 and is named in honor of Professor John E. (“Jack”) Estes, teacher, mentor, scientist, and friend of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. This award is designed to recognize individual achievement in the promotion of remote sensing and GIS technology, and applications through educational efforts. Award recipients are chosen based on documented excellence in education, teaching, mentoring and, training.
The Award was presented this month at the 2006 Annual ASPRS Conference in Reno, Nevada with funding provided by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and consists of a presentation plaque and a cash award of $2,000.
Welch began his career in his home town of Waukesha, Wisconsin with a degree in geography and biology from Carroll College in 1961. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in geography from the University of Oklahoma and a PhD in 1968 from the University of Glasgow in photogrammetry and cartography. He held various posts with Itek Corporation, and the National Academy of Sciences in the late 60s and early 70s.
In 1971, Welch became an assistant professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Georgia and later promoted to full professor. The Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science was founded by him in 1980.
Welch has over 170 articles published in refereed journals and his numerous awards include the ASPRS Fairchild Photogrammetric Award in 1981, the ASPRS Alan Gordan Memorial Award in 1993 and Inventor of the Year in 1996 given by the University of Georgia Research Foundation.
He was elected ASPRS President in 1984 and named an ASPRS Fellow in 1995. He served as President of the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Commission IV “Mapping Geographic Information Systems” from 1992-1996. Following his retirement from the University of Georgia in 2003, Welch has remained active in the advisement of graduate students.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,500 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.
Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors. The Foundation is the primary funding source for all non-sponsored awards and scholarships recognized by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.