ASPRS, ACSM and MAPPS Announce Establishment of the Francis H. “Frank” Moffitt Memorial Scholarship

The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), in cooperation with MAPPS–The Association of Photogrammetry, Mapping, and Geospatial Firms, and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) announces the establishment of The Francis H. “Frank” Moffitt Scholarship Award.  Friends and colleagues of Moffitt (1922-2007) in these organizations created this scholarship in memory of his contributions to surveying and photogrammetry and his leadership in these organizations.  The award consists of a $2,000 check, a certificate, and a one-year student or associate membership (new or renewed) in ASPRS.  The scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate studies in surveying and photogrammetry leading to a professional career in geospatial technologies.  It is expected that the award will be given for the first time at the ASPRS 2007 Conference in Portland, Oregon next May.

During his 36 years as Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, Moffitt authored two textbooks, Surveying and Photogrammetry, which provided the basic fundamentals to many thousands of civil engineering, surveying, remote sensing, and forestry students throughout the world.  Moffitt was also a prominent figure in the field of surveying and photogrammetry and served as National Director for ACSM (1967-1970), President of ASPRS (1979), and President of MAPPS (1986-1987). 

This memorial scholarship is sponsored by MAPPS, ASPRS and ACSM and will be administered through the ASPRS Foundation.  The goal is to eventually fully endow this award. An initial period of fund raising will occur over a five-year period, thus allowing a potential contributor to make a pledge with incremental contributions. One-time contributions will be accepted and encouraged. Six contribution levels have been established that reflect Professor Moffitt’s professional life:  Supporter ($99 or less); Student ($100 to $499); Professional ($500 to $999); Professor ($1,000 to $4,999); President ($5,000 to $9,999); Honor ($10,000 or more).

Donations to the Francis H. Moffitt Memorial Scholarship are invited and may be made online at www.asprsfoundation.org/donate; by mailing checks, money orders or credit card information to ASPRS, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814-2160; or faxing credit card information to ASPRS (fax: (301) 493-0208). Information about the ASPRS Foundation’s other awards can be found at www.asprsfoundation.org.

About The ASPRS Foundation
The ASPRS Foundation, Inc., founded in 1979, 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. For more information on the ASPRS Foundation, please visit www.asprsfoundation.org.

About ASPRS
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 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. For more information on ASPRS, please visit www.asprs.org.

About MAPPS
Formed in 1982 and currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of the association, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. Current MAPPS memberships spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, hydrography, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Members, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. MAPPS provides its members opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement. For more information on MAPPS, please visit www.MAPPS.org.

About ACSM
ACSM was founded in June 1941 and is incorporated as a non-profit educational organization whose goal is to advance the sciences of surveying and mapping and related fields, in furtherance of the welfare of those who use and make maps. The society is comprised of four independently incorporated Member Organizations which include more than 5000 geospatial professionals.  For more information on ACSM, please visit www.acsm.net.