Dr.Will Graf The National Geographic Society's committee for research and exploration honored University of South Carolina geographer Dr. Will Graf for eight years of service. Graf, an Educational Foundation Endowed professor at the university, is one of the nation's leading authorities on American river systems and the lands and wildlife around them. As a committee member, Graf reviewed more than 3,000 research grant proposals.

He was honored at a dinner January 11 in Washington D.C.

In 2006, Graf received the Meredith F. Burrill Award, the highest honor given by the Association of American Geographers. He was awarded that honor for his environmental public policy contributions.