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A team of state and University of Delaware staff has been awarded the 2003 John Wesley Powell award “for noteworthy contributions to the mission and objectives of the U.S. Geological Survey.” The group was honored for developing the Delaware Data Mapping and Integration Laboratory (DataMIL).

The award—named for distinguished scientist and early USGS leader John Wesley Powell—is the highest honor possible for those not employed by the USGS.

The DataMIL team includes John Callahan, Tina Callahan and Dick Sacher of the University’s IT User Services/RDMS unit, Sandy Schenck of the Delaware Geological Survey and Mike Mahaffie of the Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination.

USGS Director Charles G. Groat presented the award at a Sept. 25 ceremony at USGS headquarters in Reston VA.

“(The team has) created the foremost pilot project of the National Map using Internet mapping service technology,” Groat said. “The DataMIL team convinced local and state government that the vision of DataMIL and the National Map were the pathway to improved government service that is beneficial to the state educational system and a useful tool for the public.”

DataMIL is an interactive, online “collaboration laboratory” established by the Delaware Geographic Data Committee (DGDC) to make possible continual improvement of the maps and spatial data used by decision-makers at the federal, state, county and local government levels in Delaware.

Groat commended the recipients for their “distinct achievements, innovation and dedication.” He said that, “The First State is truly first in supporting the vision of the National Map, and helping the USGS quickly provide mapping data to the Nation."

For more information about DataMIL visit [http://datamil.udel.edu].

Contact: Kathy Canavan, (302) 831-0408
Oct. 2, 2003