Honors & ...Other Things
National Geographic Award: Dr. Hiebert
A $15,000 Chairman's Award of the National Geographic Society's Committee on Research and Exploration has been given to Dr. Fredrik Hiebert, an artist turned archaeologist who is the Robert H. Dyson Jr. Assistant Professor of Anthropology and assistant curator at the University Museum. The cash award is given annually to up to three scientific field investigators and can be used for any purpose that helps further their research interests.
Dr. Hiebert's interest-the ancient silk trade routes from China to the West-has made him an investigator of both land and sea, and since 1994 he has been investigating the Black Sea Silk Road Corridor where, for the first time, a project combines land and sea exploration in a single research program, from mountain top to the bottom of the ocean. Through the National Geographic's program he has teamed with Robert Ballard (of Titanic fame) to extend the archaeological survey to the anaerobic bottom of the Black Sea-where the potential for finding well preserved ancient trade ships is "the best in the world," he believes. "Finding sunken ship caravans is exciting because it's like finding the remains of caravans in the desert, which never happens."
For Dr. Hiebert, the National Geographic's $15,000 is a double gift because it counts toward a challenge grant to support the research.
A member of the Penn faculty since July, has been in archaeology since
the age of 17 when he joined a French expedition excavating a port of trade
on the island of Bahrain; he was elected a foreign member of the Centre
National de la Researche Scientifique while still a graduate student at
Harvard. He is the author of Origins of the Bronze Age Oasis Civilization
in Central Asia (1994) and co-editor of New Studies on Margiana ( 1993)
and Between Lapis and Jade: Ancient Cultures of Central Asia (1997), with
a new book, The Archaeology of Central Asia, forthcoming from Cambridge.
'Health Care Heroes': Penn Nursing
Each year the Philadelphia Business Journal recognizes oustanding Philadelphia area health care professionals and companies who have made important contributions to the quality of life in the city by naming them "Health Care Heroes."
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's Penn Nursing Network
(PNN) was a runner-up in the service category this year, cited for its best
practice models of community-based, family-focused health care services
to people of all ages in a variety of settings. Dr. Lois Evans, professor
of nursing and director of academic nursing practices at the School, accepted
the award last month.
To the Members of the Twenty-Five Year Club
Again many thanks for all that you did to make the 1998 University of Pennsylvania Twenty-Five Year Club celebrations such good fellowship and celebration.
Particular thanks to Marilyn Kraut of Human Resouces who was integral to the planning team and responsible for the coordination of the faculty/staff longevity recognition activity part of the celebration.Kathy Nace in the Comptroller's Office coordinated the events with efficiency and diplomacy and her activities made possible all the arrangements. John Hayden,Marie Palermo and Marguerite Miller were also most helpful.
There are Penn Twenty-Five Year mugs remaining for those who were unable to come to either celebration.Please telephone Kathy Nace at 8-7284 to arrange to fetch your mug.
Certificates requested will be mailed.The University of Pennsylvania Twenty-Five Year Bowl will be distributed with the faculty/staff longevity awards.
Any suggestions for chair-elect of our group should be relayed to Duncan Van Dusen as soon as feasible, via e-mail, vandusen@pobox.upenn.edu.
Please share with one of us any ideas for future celebrations.
All the best,take care and cheers.
--Helen C. Davies, Chair, 1998-99
--Madeleine M. Joullie, Chair-elect, 1999-2000
--Alfred F. Beers, Immediate past chair, 1997-98
--Duncan W. Van Dusen, Secretary
Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 13, November 24, 1998