Spring 2021 Commencement Message from the Director
Greetings!
As we conclude the 2020-2021 academic year, we look back on a year unlike any we have experienced. This week’s virtual celebration of graduates reminded us that, even during challenging and uncertain times, our students, staff, and faculty can pull together, put others before themselves, and succeed. We recognize the tremendous toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken and is continuing to take on our world and remember those we have lost—our colleagues, peers, community collaborators, neighbors, friends, and family members. The global pandemic continues to expose social, economic, health, and communications disparities and reminds us that anthropology has much to contribute to addressing them.
Anthropological knowledge and understanding, across time and space, created in our physical and virtual worlds, is vital. Even in these troubling times, our undergraduate and graduate students, our faculty, and our staff have made significant contributions to the discipline of anthropology, our university, and our society. Despite disruptions and in the face of uncertainty, they have been recognized with college and university-wide awards and with national and international scholarships, fellowships, and prizes. They have authored leading publications and have dedicated themselves to making the world a better place. We are very proud of what they have accomplished.
Thanks to everyone in our community—parents, friends, spouses, faculty, staff, and peers—for the guidance, support, and encouragement you have provided our students. At this time each year as we celebrate our graduates, we are reminded why we study anthropology and how privileged we are to have the opportunities to work and learn together. Whether you are graduating and leaving for new opportunities or completing your first semester as a member of the School of Anthropology, I wish you the best as we head into the summer to tackle new challenges and—hopefully—find time for restoration and reflection.
All the best,
Diane Austin
