Dr. Marc P. Armstrong Returns to UNC Charlotte for CAGIS Distinguished Speaker Series

The Center for Applied GIScience (CAGIS) at UNC Charlotte was honored to welcome Dr. Marc P. Armstrong, Professor Emeritus from the University of Iowa, for a campus visit from April 30 to May 2, 2025. Nearly fifty years after earning his master’s degree from UNC Charlotte, Dr. Armstrong—a world-renowned pioneer and leading authority in GIScience—returned to campus.

As part of the 2025 CAGIS Distinguished Speaker Series, Dr. Armstrong delivered a talk titled “Fifty Years of Geospatial Computing: Retrospect and Prospect”, reflecting on the evolution of geospatial technologies and offering insight into the emerging future in this domain.

During his visit, Drs. Wenwu Tang, Tianyang Chen, Yao Li, and Youngseob Eum led Dr. Armstrong on a nostalgic tour of McEniry Hall, where he once studied and worked. The team also showcased cutting-edge geospatial technologies currently used in the research and outreach in CAGIS, including the Augmented Reality sandbox, Virtual Reality system, a mapping-grade drone, and survey-grade GPS equipment.

In addition to his time on campus, Dr. Armstrong toured the Batt CAVE (Center for Advanced Power Engineering Research), where Drs. Shen-En Chen and Tiefu Zhao introduced him to innovative technologies and industry-driven applications in advanced energy systems.

Dr. Armstrong’s visit not only offered a remarkable reflection on the evolution of GIScience but also served as an important reconnection with UNC Charlotte, inspiring faculty fellows, and students across disciplines, reinforcing the Center’s commitment to advancing geospatial research and education.