Campaign News

Press Releases

BUILDING THE FUTURE, UNDERSTANDING THE PAST

The Henry Luce Foundation Awards $500,000 to UH Mānoa Department of Anthropology

"Archaeology has come of age in the last century; today thousands of archaeologists work across the globe to unearth remains of our collective ancient past. Asia’s rich archaeological record contains valuable clues regarding our origins and transformations, and the more we learn about Asian archaeology the more we are forced to rewrite world archaeology.

Yet despite East and Southeast Asia’s obvious importance, most of its archaeological past remains obscure to the Western world. Few archaeologists are even familiar with the region beyond such world heritage sites as the Great Wall, Emperor Qin’s tomb, and ancient temples like Angkor Wat."

(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is proud to announce the award of $500,000 to the UH Mānoa Department of Anthropology from the Henry Luce Foundation’s Initiative on East and Southeast Asian Archeology and Early History. The funds will support the program "Building and Maintaining Asian Contacts: Enhancing Asian Archaeology, Training and Research at UHM."

"This grant will help establish a new position in Asian Archaeology in the Anthropology program. It will also support the development of a training program that brings junior professional archaeologists from East and Southeast Asia to UH Mānoa for an intensive year of language study, technical training, and professionalization to help them function more effectively on the international stage." Miriam Stark

The UH Mānoa Anthropology program has a longstanding tradition in Asian archaeology, and has produced graduate specialists in this field for more than 35 years. The department&rsqu;s focus, until recently, has been in Southeast Asian archaeology, and UH Mānoa continues to lead the country in training and graduating archaeologists with this geographic specialty. More recently this program has added East Asian archaeology, and the Luce Foundation’s institutional grant, including support for the new faculty line, will enable the department to dedicate more resources to teaching and research relevant to the region.

The goal of the related training program is to equip Asian archeologists for greater involvement in the international world of archaeology. Because many Asian archaeologists lack the time, funding and linguistic skills to complete a graduate degree, the program will provide training opportunities for Southeast Asian and Chinese individuals at a junior stage in their careers who are involved in the archeology/heritage management field.

"The UH Foundation is delighted to connect the Henry Luce Foundation, a Foundation with a passion for research and knowledge, with UH’s centers of excellence. Through these partnerships we help UH fulfill its strategic vision to continually enhance and expand its research capabilities." Donna Vuchinich, UH Foundation President and CEO

The Henry Luce Foundation (www.hluce.org) was established in 1936 by the late Henry R. Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc. The foundation today includes grant-making programs that support higher education, American art, environment, theology, women in science and engineering, and understanding of Asia. In 2005, the Foundation announced two new multi-year commitments: the Henry R. Luce Initiative in Religion and International Affairs, and the Luce Initiative on East and Southeast Asian Archaeology and Early History.

About the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation
The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is an independent, university-related, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise private funds according to priorities determined by the academic leadership of the University of Hawaiʻi and approved by the Board of Regents. Founded in 1955, the Foundation provides a full range of fund raising and alumni relations services for all 10 UH campuses. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.uhf.hawaii.edu.