Marie Price, the chair of the geography department, will receive the annual Trachtenberg Teaching Prize next month. The award, which carries a $1,000 honorarium, will be presented at the May 22 Commencement ceremony.

Price has been teaching at GW since she graduated from Syracuse University with a doctorate degree in geography. A specialist in Latin America, she has studied human migration, natural resource use, environmental conservation and regional development.

“She is qualified for this award because, quite frankly, she’s the best professor I have ever had,” said Maeve Pinto, a senior geography major. “She does everything right.”

Pinto added, “She is very encouraging, and without her faith in me, I might never have double-majored in geography.”

Another Geography major, senior Mustafa Dimbiloglu, said it is Price’s personality that makes her so unique.

“Not only is Dr. Price extremely knowledgeable about geography, but she brings an enthusiasm and a sincere interest in her students that makes her stand apart from other professors on campus,” he said.

“It is thrilling. The faculty, staff and students in geography are very supportive,” Price said.

Price did not take all the credit for the award.

“I think it has less to do with me and more to do with a discipline, geography, which is extremely interesting and relevant,” she said.

To keep students interested in the field, Price started an all-GW Geography Bowl team in 2002. After competing for just three years, the team won the National Geography Bowl Championship two weeks ago.

Each member of the GW team received an individual plaque, world atlas and a $200 gift certificate.

Price said she was proud of her student team and added that her pupils have excellent skills for thinking globally and comprehending the geographical aspects of the world.

“For 20-year-old students, the map of the modern world has completely changed from the one their parents grew up with,” she said.