Lia Kitteringham has been selected as a recipient of the 2019-2020 Dr. L. Jill Loucks Memorial Award for Outstanding Senior in Anthropology. Every year the department faculty select an outstanding graduating senior or seniors to receive the Dr. L. Jill Loucks Memorial Award for Outstanding Senior in Anthropology.
"Anthropology, to me, is about welcoming new perspectives, about opening one's eyes to the people around us, both near and far. I wouldn’t say that I, or anyone else for that matter, was particularly close-minded before coming to Appalachian State University's Department of Anthropology, but this society and this country have a way of shielding kids from the many different and interesting worldviews that exist all around us. Eurocentrism abounds in our K-12 public schooling, whether intentional or not, and tends to erase any culture that is not white. I truly believe that the lessons I have learned through my anthropology classes have not only opened my eyes to this erasure but have made me into a better person capable of fighting against it.
Being chosen for this award was really unexpected because of all of the other amazing seniors in this department, and I think it proves to me that all of my time and work has been well spent. Anthropology, and archaeology in particular, is truly what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I feel that earning this award for all of the things I have learned and accomplished here will give me the knowledge and confidence to go out into the world and do that."
About the Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology offers a comparative and holistic approach to the study of the human experience. The anthropological perspective provides a broad understanding of the origins as well as the meaning of physical and cultural diversity in the world – past, present and future. With nearly 200 undergraduate majors, the department offers numerous research opportunities for students including field schools, internships, lab projects and independent studies at home and abroad. Students may earn B.A. and B.S. degrees with concentrations in sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and social practice and sustainability. Learn more at http://anthro.appstate.edu
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to 16 academic departments, two stand-alone academic programs, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. Our values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of our students as global citizens. There are approximately 5,850 student majors in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing Appalachian's general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at http://cas.appstate.edu
About Appalachian State University
As the premier, public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
