Fifteen years ago, the Ethnic Geography Specialty Group (EGSG) established the EGSG Distinguished Scholar Award to honor outstanding scholars in the field of ethnic geography. As of 2003, nomination of the Distinguished Scholars is open to the entire membership. The committee will make its selection based on reviews of the nominee’s curriculum vitae (by e-mail or online). Nomination of non-EGSG members or foreign scholars is welcome. A formal announcement of the recipient will be made at the EGSG annual business meeting.
| Year | Recipient |
| 2025 | Marie Price |
| 2025 | David H. Kaplan |
| 2020 | Qingfang Wang |
| 2019 | Heather Smith |
| 2018 | Emily Skop |
| 2018 | Jim Forrest |
| 2016 | John Frazier |
| 2015 | Lawrence Estaville |
| 2014 | Audrey Kobayashi |
| 2013 | James Tyner |
| 2012 | Wei Li |
| 2011 | Carlos Teixeira |
| 2010 | Ron Johnston |
| 2009 | Fred Boal |
| 2008 | Ceri Peach |
| 2007 | Kay J. Anderson |
| 2006 | Joe Darden |
| 2005 | Curtis C. Roseman |
| 2004 | David Ley |
| 2003 | Daniel Arreola |
| 2002 | Thomas Boswell |
| 2001 | Susan W. Hardwick |
| 2000 | Richard L. Nostrand |
| 1999 | Michael P. Conzen |
| 1998 | James P. Allen |
| 1997 | Allen G. Noble |
| 1996 | R. Cole Harris |
| 1995 | Wilbur Zelinsky |
| 1994 | Terry G. Jordan |
Ethnic Geography Specialty Group 