Marylander Jim Amos studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, worked for Eastman Kodak Company, and found his true calling as a photographer for National Geographic. In twenty-six years he traveled around the world employing creativity, insight, and instinct to photograph the earth and its features, completing many magazine assignments and the photographs for two books. He was named "Magazine Photographer of the Year" in 1969 and 1970 by the National Press Photographers Association. Amos also received many awards from the White House News Photographers Association.

A program of speakers, including Mr. Amos, is planned in cooperation with UMBC's Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.