Michael Peterson, professor in the Department of Geography/Geology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will present the 2016 Steve Lavin Memorial Seminar “Geography and Cartography in an Era of American Exceptionalism” at 2:30 p.m. April 15 in Hardin Hall, room 163, 33rd and Holdrege streets. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Peterson is a geographer and cartographer who has traveled and worked across the world as a professor. In his talk, he will examine the relationship between geography, cartography and the concept of American exceptionalism – or the notion that the United States stands apart from other countries because its history and development make it unique. Peterson will examine the concept from the standpoint of geography and cartography.

The memorial seminar is part of a daylong event honoring Lavin, who spent three decades with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s geography department before he died of cancer in 2011. Lavin was a specialist in cartography who was well-known for his research on map design, cartographic communication and computer cartography.

Computer cartography is also one of Peterson’s areas of expertise. His research focus as a professor has been maps and the internet. He has taught courses in computer mapping, world regional geography, cartography, remote sensing and geographic information systems. He joined the faculty in 1982.

Peterson also was president of the North American Cartographic Information Society and an editor of “Cartographic Perspectives.” He chaired the Maps and the Internet Commission of the International Cartographic Association from 1999 to 2011.

His recent work includes the 2014 book “Mapping in the Cloud” and the 2012 release “Online Maps with APIs and Webservices.”

For a complete schedule of events, click here.