The University Libraries announced the winners of this year’s Geographic Information Systems Day Map Competition, where talented students showcased their skills in mapping.

First place winners were Landyn Bish and Alexi Caines from the College of Architecture (Teamwork), with their map of Lincoln NEBRASKA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM and Expansion. Second place winner was Erik Schulz from the School of Global Integrative Studies and College of Arts and Sciences with the map of Nebraska’s Missing U.S. Soldiers from the Vietnam War. The People’s Choice winner was Nutaila Yaqoob Ayoub Al Hadidi from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences with the map, Exploring Earthquake Magnitudes and Fault Zones in China.

Maps were entered in the competition from students in various departments including anthropology, architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Natural Resources, School of Global Integrative Studies and the Earth and atmospheric sciences.

A panel of judges from the Libraries selected the top two best maps and the People’s Choice Award was voted on by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community.

Wenjie Wang, geospatial data and programs librarian and assistant professor, organized the events of the week, which included a half-day conference co-sponsored by the School of Natural Resources and the School of Global Integrative Studies.

“The goal of the activities to celebrate GIS was to foster a deeper appreciation for GIS, encourage spatial thinking, and showcase the power of maps in understanding our complex world,” Wang said.

Winners received large format printouts of their maps and gift cards.

See the gallery of maps submitted and more about the competition here.