About The Royal Canadian Geographical Society

College of Fellows Dinner 2011

Jerry Linenger (ABOVE, at left) displays his medal with RCGS president John Geiger. (Photo: Rémi Thériault)

Out of this world
With vintage aircraft, propellers and engines as his backdrop, NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger transported more than 330 guests on a journey to the Russian space station Mir at the annual Fellows Dinner in November, held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, in Ottawa. After receiving a Gold Medal, the keynote speaker shared stories of battling fi res, fatigue and a language barrier while on board Mir. He also spoke of the 80.5 million kilometres he has travelled in space. “I love geography,” says Linenger. “I get to go up there and look at the whole world.” Also presented with Gold Medals were the Dehcho First Nations, Parks Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society for the expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve.

— Jessica Harding

Connie Wyatt Anderson and Al Friesen (RIGHT) with his 2011 Geographic Literacy Award from the Canadian Council for Geographic Education. (Photo: Rémi Thériault)

Éric Hébert-Daly of CPAWS, Minister of the Environment Peter Kent and Dehcho Grand Chief Sam Gargan with Geiger. (Photo: Rémi Thériault)

RCGS excutive director and Canadian Geographic publisher André Préfontaine, Canadian Tire’s Michel Séguin and 3M’s Elise Maheu.(Photo: Rémi Thériault)

Beth Dye of the RCGS with former executive director Louise Maffett, who received a special citation from the National Geographic Society. (Photo: Rémi Thériault)

D.J. Spooky thrills the audience with images and sound. (Photo: Rémi Thériault)