From the President’s Corner

Hello, All.  Our 2012 Annual Spring Conference is now in the books, and what a conference it was!  For those of you who were not able to attend, this year’s conference was unique in several respects.  Initially, there was some apprehension regarding the conference theme which revolved around “Artistic Expression and Community Connection”, a theme not commonly given voice in societies such as ours.  The perceived risk, however, was quickly put to rest as comments from those who attended were outstanding.

Also, this year our conference was held in conjunction with the Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association thereby allowing conference attendees to not only avail themselves of our program but also partake in a fabulous three-day Powwow involving at least 12 tribes from the Mountain States area. 

Truly, this year’s conference was judged to be an outstanding program and a unique and wonderful experience.  As a result, we owe our most sincere gratitude to the Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association and to the administration, faculty and students of Colorado State University for their support and efforts in our behalf.  Most of all, our thanks and gratitude should go to our Past-President, Kathleen Sherman, our Secretary, Andrea Akers, and the Colorado State University Anthropology Department.  The countless hours they spent in meetings of program construction, logistics, arranging facilities, etc., cannot be measured.  To them, our deepest appreciation.

In addition to the great conference we attended, your Board of Directors also decided upon several important matters we feel will benefit us in the future as we grow and move forward.  First of all, the Board approved on a three-year trial basis the opening of our journal, The Applied Anthropologist, electronically to non-members through a partnership with EBSCO.  We generally feel this move will increase our exposure and interest in our society much more broadly, nationally and internationally, with minimum financial risk.

Secondly, the Board agreed to aggressively market the Omer Stewart collection donated to us by his son, Steven.  This collection represents a significant financial windfall to us if properly marketed – either through such mediums as regional museum displays or a variety of other means.

Third, the Board discussed and began preparation for the 2013 National Society for Applied anthropology (SfAA) annual meeting to be held in Denver and co-sponsored by HPSfAA.  We feel this is an unprecedented opportunity for our organization to shine in a national light.  We realize this is a monumental undertaking and not without risk.  However, if the effort is put forward and our concerns are protected, it will certainly enhance our exposure and reputation on a national and possibly international stage.

Lastly, but no less important, was the annual presentation of awards to those who have done so much.  The Omer C. Stewart Memorial Award was presented to Dr. Richard Stoffle in absentia as his mother recently passed away and he could not attend.  Dr. Peter Van Arsdale received the Bristlecone Pine Award for all he has done and is continuing to do for the society, and Mr. Michael Brydge received the Gottfried and Martha Lang Student Award for outstanding student contributions to the society and to applied anthropology.  In addition, for the first time in our history, a special award was presented.  Dr. Howard Stein was made the “Poet Laureate” of HPSfAA for what he has given us over the past 30+ years.  An award so richly deserved.

In any event, with all this behind us now, we can begin looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2012 brings and to our annual Fall Retreat at Ghost Ranch from October 5-7, 2012.  I hope to see many of you there and hope you are well.

Jack Schultz

HPSfAA President