Museum curators honored for their achievements

Two curators at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, have been recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Dr. Robert McCord, Curator of Paleontology, has been elected a Full Member of Sigma XI The Scientific Research Society in 2008.  Sigma XI is an international honor society for research scientists and engineers whose membership includes more than 200 Nobel Prize winners.  The honor recognizes his contributions to science and the potential of his future contributions.  Dr. McCord has received worldwide recognition for his findings in the paleontology field, including the recently discovered Rhynchotherium, the camel Camelops and the Gilbert Mammoth.  These and other discoveries are now on display at, or in the collections of, the Arizona Museum of Natural History.

Dr. Jerry Howard, Curator of Anthropology, has received the 2008 Historic Preservation Award for “Lifetime Contribution to Archaeology” from the Mesa Historic Preservation Committee.  Dr. Howard was recognized for his efforts to preserve the Mesa Grande ruins as an educational and cultural site.  He was also honored for leading a team of volunteer archaeologists known as S.W.A.T. (Southwest Archaeology Team) on numerous projects around Arizona that include survey work, excavation and the stabilization of historic sites such as old adobe schoolhouses and stagecoach stops.  Dr. Howard was presented the award at a recent Mesa City Council meeting.

For more information, contact Arizona Museum of Natural History Curator of Education Kathy Eastman at (480) 644-5662.

Technorati Tags: anthropology, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Mesa, museum, paleontology