Jack Dangermond

Founder, Environmental Systems Research Institute

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Few people know the planet Earth as well as Jack Dangermond. A visionary leader, Mr. Dangermond founded the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), the world's premier developer of geographic information system software that is used in the academic environment, in government agencies and in the private sector.

His personal contributions to the people of Earth are what make this 1967 Cal Poly Pomona landscape architecture graduate extraordinary. Mr. Dangermond works on behalf of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and UNESCO initiatives, including the Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) in Iraq. Through the HIC, ESRI has provided software and training materials as well as teacher training to Iraqi nationals in support of the country's redevelopment efforts.

He has been formally recognized by the U.S. State Department with the Distinguished Public Service Award for outstanding contributions to national and international affairs; the LaGasse Medal for Excellence in the Management of Public Lands and National Resources in the Public Interest from the American Society of Landscape Architects; and the EDUCAUSE medal for developing outstanding technology-based teaching and learning programs in geography.

Mr. Dangermond has served on NASA's Earth Systems Science and Applications Advisory Committee; the Task Force on National Digital Cartographic Standards; the National Science Foundation; and the National Academy of Science's Committee on Geography.

In recognition of an unparalleled professional career and great personal contributions to the global community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona are proud to confer upon Jack Dangermond the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.