FLORENCE – He won’t exactly be going off into the “wild blue yonder,” but a University of North Alabama professor has been selected as the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Geography at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Dr. Michael Pretes, professor and chair of geoscience at UNA, starts his one-year team in July. He will serve in Colorado Springs as a civilian professor in the Academy’s Department of Economics and Geosciences. Pretes will instruct the cadets in world, regional and cultural geography, as well as serve as an advisor and mentor.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve at the Air Force Academy and to teach, advise, and mentor our future Air Force officers,” Pretes said. “Training in geography is crucial to our military. A knowledge of such things as map use, weather, terrain, geopolitics, and world cultures can make the difference in mission success.
“I am honored to be selected for this position, and it also highlights the excellence of the geoscience program at the University of North Alabama.”
Pretes, who has taught at UNA for 18 years, is an award-winning instructor in geography.
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