The mission of the Marble Fund is to support the advancement and application of geographic information science (GIS) and quantitative methods in geography. By honoring Dr. Duane Marble's contributions, the fund encourages academic excellence and innovation within these domains.
The 2024 Award for Bachelor Program Excellence seeks to recognize and honor outstanding Geography programs at U.S. colleges and universities that do not offer Ph.D. degrees. This accolade is aimed at departments and blended programs that have notably raised the stature and perception of Geography as a scholarly field. It celebrates these academic units for their composite achievements or significant contributions over a short duration which align with fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and high-achieving geographical academic environment. Specifically, the award evaluates programs on several fronts including visionary leadership, pedagogical excellence, diversity and inclusion, academic and professional advancement of students, scholarship engagement, and community involvement. Through this award, the AAG acknowledges the pivotal role these programs play in educating upcoming geographers, promoting the field, and enhancing diversity within the academic and professional geography community.