The annual John C. Livingston Faculty Lecture celebrates the academic life and legacy of the late Dr. Livingston, a professor of government at Sac State from 1954 to 1981. Its purpose is to honor a distinguished faculty member who has played an active role in the life of the University.

This year’s recipient of the Livingston award is Thomas Krabacher, professor of geography, who has taught 10 different courses since his arrival at SacramentoState in 1988. Considered the department’s most versatile instructor, Krabacher teaches both the natural science and social science aspects of geography. His ability was cultivated by completing a master’s thesis  in climatology and a dissertation in economic geography.

Krabacher has inspired scores of future K-12 teachers with creative assignments involving mental mapping, family migration, historical geographies and unusual maps. His regional course on Africa is a particular favorite with students, leveraging his personal experiences there and his broad understanding of contemporary conditions and events across the continent.

Student appreciate his suburban-rural field class, in which they do field work to understand selected local issues involving water, agriculture, tourism,
land use, economic development and transportation.

The quality of Krabacher’s teaching at Sac State, plus his participation in the weekend college program at Folsom Prison, earned him the 1994 National Council for Geographic Education Outstanding Teaching Award. The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics gave him its Outstanding University Service Award in 2005.

“He brings people together, listens to them, proposes solutions to problems, listens some more, and ends up with wide support for a thoughtful outcome,” Krabacher’s nominators say. “His skillful service has been a great force for building community on our campus.”

Professor Krabacher will present his lecture, “The Public University as Public Good,” at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in University Union Ballroom I.  A reception will be held immediately following.