Elbie Bentley, an Ohio University graduate student studying cartography, has had a longtime dream to “make atlases and maps and work at National Geographic.”With an internship at National Geographic magazine next fall, helping to produce the publication’s special edition fold-out maps, she’s well on her way.
In addition to her role as a graduate student, Bentley works as a graduate assistant for the Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development (ILGARD) at OU’s Voinovich School. As the sole geographical information systems (GIS) graduate assistant for the group this year, she was able to take a leadership role on a surface mine GIS project for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Bentley’s supervisor, Matt Trainer, had high compliments for Bentley’s work.“She really took ownership of the ODNR project, and, with oversight from our staff, she’s done a wonderful job,” Trainer said. The project, which should be complete by the end of the month, will provide the key information about the Ohio’s more distant mining history.
In addition to the ODNR project, Bentley helped to complete other projects, including a market analysis for The Wilds, a wildlife conservation center based in southeast Ohio.
While Bentley said she enjoys GIS, she says her real passion lies in cartography, which she explains as “graphic design with a specialty in maps.”
Although she started out as an art major, she graduated from San Francisco State University with degrees in Geography and German. After completing the only cartography class offered at SFSU, Bentley decided she wanted to work more with maps, or “the cosmic union between art and geography.” Her master’s thesis is a historical expedition atlas of railroad surveys – it mimicks old map style and includes historical drawings.
Bentley, a California native, enjoys hiking and canoeing in her spare time.
“It’s quiet and calm here – the natural beauty here made me really want to explore this part of the country,” she said. “I love the seasons in Ohio.”
She is unsure what she will do after graduation, but she is considering pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro.