The Photogrammetric Award (Fairchild) was awarded to Charles K. Toth, PhD at the 2009 Annual ASPRS Conference in Baltimore, Maryland in March. This award, the essence of which is practicability, is designed to stimulate the development of the art of aerial photogrammetry in the United States. The selection committee makes its choice based on an outstanding invention or design involving any type of equipment that applies to the art of aerial photogrammetry; any outstanding method developed for the general use of aerial photographs and/or imagery; outstanding research for study along aerial photogrammetric lines and outstanding effort for the general advancement of the art of photogrammetry. Lockheed Martin donates funding for the award, which consists of a silver presentation plaque.
Toth graduated from the Technical University of Budapest earning MSc and PhD degrees. He is a senior research scientist at the Center for Mapping, the Ohio State University and has made several contributions to the field of photogrammetric theory and practice in the last two decades, being equally involved in state-of-the-art research and innovative use of technology in both academic and application environments.
He has published over 200 papers in various journals and proceedings and most recently co-edited the first book dedicated to lidar technology.
Toth has been a very active member of ASPRS, serving as Director of the Photogrammetric Applications Division, Committee Chair and currently as National Director of the Eastern Great Lakes Region. Internationally, he has served the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing as Chair and Co-chair of various Working Groups in the last four Congress periods.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.
Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors. The Foundation is the primary funding source for all non-sponsored awards and scholarships recognized by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.