On Tuesday evening, September 15, nearly 350 people gathered in the Student Union South Ballroom for a ceremony commemorating 100 years of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. A host of dignitaries helped to celebrate the day on which classes began in newly established University of Arizona Department of Archaeology on September 15, 1915. John Paul Jones, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, served as master of ceremonies and delivered the opening remarks. Next, SoA Director Diane Austin gave a welcome and introduced the faculty representatives who made brief presentations about their respective divisions: Associate Professors Lars Fogelin (Archaeology), Brian Silverstein (Sociocultural Anthropology), Marcela Vasquez-Leon (Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology), Jennifer Roth-Gordon (Linguistic Anthropology), and Ivy Pike (Biological Anthropology).
For the portion of the celebration titled “Anthropology in Our Community,” John Schaefer, the fifteenth President of the UA, served as MC and introduced current President Ann Weaver Hart; Vice Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Verlon Jose; Arizona State Senator for District 9, Steve Farley; and Mayor of the City of Tucson, Jonathan Rothschild, who offered remarks. In addition, President Hart presented a Governor’s Proclamation from the office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Mayor Rothschild presented a Copper Letter from the City of Tucson.
Several friends who have given major gifts to our School were recognized and presented with plaques, and for the first time a $3 million gift to the School from Philip and Kathe Gust was announced to the public. Be sure to read more about the Gusts’ generosity here. Friends recognized with plaques were: William “Uncle Willy” Longacre; Sandra Elers; Arch Brown (on behalf of Arch and Laura Brown); Drs. Entisar (Vivi) and Adib Sabbagh Michael-Anne Young and the Cacioppo Foundation; and Mary Grier, Agnese Haury Trustee.
The final portion of the commemoration was jovially delivered by former head of the Department of Anthropology and Riecker Professor Emeritus Raymond Thompson, who spoke about his own connections to the early days of UA Anthropology and cut a ceremonial layer cake. The evening ended with a reception.
Looking Ahead: Anthropology in Our Community: Celebrating Diversity, Friday and Saturday, October 9–10, 2015. The Greater Southwest is our focus as we celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community. It all begins with “100 Years of Anthropology at the University of Arizona” on Friday at Tucson Meet Yourself. Friday’s events include tours of University Indian Ruin and the School of Anthropology Field Attire Fashion Show II. On Saturday there will be a morning field trip to the Amerind Museum and an afternoon symposium exploring our “Field Schools through the Ages.” Information is available on the Centennial web page.
Please help us out! Complete this brief questionnaire to let us know if you are considering attending the December 4–5Alumni Weekend and Party of the Century.
