Background
Sommers, Lawrence Melvin was born on April 17, 1919 in Clinton, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Emil L. and Inga (Anderson) Sommers.
Sommers, Lawrence Melvin was born on April 17, 1919 in Clinton, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Emil L. and Inga (Anderson) Sommers.
Bachelor of Science, University Wisconsin, 1942. The Master of Philisophy, University Wisconsin, 1946. Doctor of Philosophy, Northwestern University, 1950.
Professor geography Michigan State. University, East Lansing, from 1949, successively instructor, assistant professor department geography, associate professor, 1949-1955, professor, 1955-1989, professor emeritus, assistant provost emeritus, from 1989. Chairman department geography Michigan State University, 1955-1979, member Environmental Quality Center, 1979-1981, assistant provost, 1987-1989.
Member advisory committee geography Office Naval Research and National Research Council, 1958-1961. Fellow American Scandinavian Foundation. Board directors American Paytel Corporation.
Member commission on dynamics of marginal and critical regions International Geography Union, since 1996.
(Geography, Economics)
Served with adjunct general department Army of the United States, 1942-1945. Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Council Geography Education, American Geography Society, Association American Geographers (executive committee 1967-1970, chairman consultant service 1970-1977, publication committee 1968-1970), Western Region Science Association, Michigan State University Academy Council and Graduate Council (chairman steering committee 1981-1984), American Scandinavian Foundation, International Region Science Association, Scandinavian Studies Association, Explorers Club, Sigma Xi (president Michigan State University chapter 1959-1960), Phi Kappa Phi (president Michigan State University chapter 1980-1982, vice president North Central region 1986-1989, national president-elect 1989-1992, executive committee since 1992, national president 1992-1995, past president since 1995), Retired Geographers Organization (board directors since 1998), Phi Delta Beta.
Married Marjorie Smith, April 26, 1948. 1 daughter, Laurie Kay.