Tash Mahnokaren
Staff Writer
Anthropology as the study of humans both past and present continues to fascinate individuals across the world.
Drawing on the knowledge of a number of related fields, anthropology aims to study the motivations, cultures, customs and lifestyles of individuals and their communities to better facilitate the knowledge of human purpose and progression.
Idaho State University’s Anthropology Club holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year. According to Kyra Stull, adviser for the student anthropology club, fundraiser proceeds go towards a vital cause for the students and members of the club, often referred to as “student and professional development.”
Stull, apart from being the club’s adviser, also assists in fundraising events and supervises auctions and other club-sponsored functions.
Financial gains from fundraisers are often put towards sending students to other states and abroad to present their work at conferences.
Stull expressed that this opportunity for students to present their work at conferences places them “one step above” in the run for graduate school admittance.
Just last year, students were funded to present their work in Hawaii in a conference held by the Society for American Archaeology.
The Student Anthropology Club will also hold its annual Potlatch Auction on Dec. 6, which is the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
It will be a silent auction and will have a display of materials, goods and other donations from faculty and community members.
“This year it will be at the College Market and we will also be having a pig roast and barbeque,” said Stull.
The club also recently held a fundraising event where Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum, professor of anatomy and anthropology, was invited to give a talk on unevaluated species such as Bigfoot and Sasquatch.
Established 20 years ago, the club now consists of twelve members who are quite active in club events and getting the community involved.
Attending conferences and having the opportunity to present their work is a promising prospect for a student’s future and according to Stull, “raises the likelihood of attending graduate school.”
“You get to meet the people that you read about, the researchers that you look up to and establish your own network,” said Stull of attending conferences.
Club membership is open to all students and those looking to join or gain more information about the club can contact Stull or club president Aly Hayhurst-Waddoups.
