Contact: Kay Fike Jones
A Mississippi State University geography professor is the 1997 National Weather Association Member of the Year.
Mark S. Binkley, who directs the broadcast meteorology program in the geosciences department, was recognized for his work in operational meteorology and related fields. He received the NWA award at the nonprofit organization's recent annual meeting in Reno, Nev.
Binkley, who also heads the MSU Climatology Laboratory, specifically was recognized for four major achievements. They include:
--Initiation in 1987 of MSU's on-campus and correspondence program in broadcast meteorology education. Students successfully completing the program are eligible for NWA and American Meteorological Society seals of approval.
--Development of numerous studies and surveys on broadcast meteorology and related subjects that have improved operational meteorology. He recently organized the university's new operational meteorology program specifically designed for the military--the only one of its kind in the country.
--Service as testing chairperson on the organization's Radio/TV Broadcast Committee and development of new written examinations for candidates seeking a seal of approval.
--Service as chair of the Local Chapter Committee, where he initiated start-up of several chapters and developed a guide for forming local organizations.
A Mississippi State faculty member since 1986, Binkley also is assistant to the department head. He holds an associate degree in meteorology from Western Kentucky University, a bachelor's in geography from the University of Utah and master's and doctoral degrees, also in geography, from Indiana State University.
Headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., the NWA has grown to more than 2,500 members worldwide since its inception in 1975.