Spring commencement preparations always remind me of how terrific our students are, and what wonderful opportunities our faculty provides for both undergraduate and graduate training. Throughout this newsletter you’ll see examples of undergraduates involved in various faculty-mentored research projects funded by the Provost Undergraduate Research Initiative and the department, volunteer experiences, field schools, peer mentorship, and Anthropology Club field trips and other events.

Watch your email for a special invitation to alumni to connect with our undergraduates. We are planning a fall reception to bring together alums working outside of the academy with undergraduate majors to help students envision the wide variety of directions that their bachelor’s degree may take them.

I am also very happy to note that we recently hired two new faculty members: a Socio-cultural Anthropologist hired as part of MSU’s Water Initiative, and a Forensic Anthropologist. These exciting additions to the faculty will be introduced in the Fall 2014 Newsletter.

During the 2014/2015 Academic Year I will be away in order to intensively focus on my research and Dr. Laurie Medina will guide the department as Acting Chair. Please feel free to contact Dr. Medina or Katy Meyers with your news updates.

[Included in the Spring 2014 Dept. of Anthropology Newsletter, see complete newsletter here]