From Super Bowl to National Security

Illinois State University will welcome home geography alumnus Steve Kwiatkowski, who will discuss how mapmakers make the Super Bowl safe at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, in 133 Felmley Hall. The event, sponsored by the Illinois State Department of Geography-Geology, is free an open to the public.

Kwiatkowski is a geospatial analyst for Esri, the country’s premier provider of software for Geographic Information Systems (GIS). His talk, titled “GIS and Security: The Super Bowl Map Book,” will discuss some of the nearly 200 maps created each year to support security forces that helped with the 2011 Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas, and with the 2012 game in Indianapolis.

Maps created by Kwiatkowski and his team have helped provide information on HAZMAT routes, pipelines, emergency services and law enforcement locations for as much as 60 miles around Super Bowl locations. Last year, Kwiatkowski moved from mapping for Super Bowls to national security. He now works with Esri to prepare maps for the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Marine Corps.

Kwiatkowski has been involved in GIS assessments of catastrophes, earning a certificate of appreciation from the Department of Homeland Security for his work with the U.S. response to the Japan earthquake and tsunami, and for his work with Super Bowl XLV.

For additional information, contact Professor of Geography Michael Sublett at (309) 438-5808.