Learn More About Anthropology During Annual Open House

13^th Annual Anthropology Open House

Join us for the Department of Anthropology’s 13th annual open house featuring presentations by students, faculty, alumni, and special guests on Friday, November 15. Take advantage of this wonderful chance to explore the discipline of Anthropology, learn about course offerings, undergraduate research opportunities, the AA-T degree in Anthropology, and its rich diversity of research conducted by local anthropologists. Join us for this interesting and informative event.

In the evening session, the Anthropology department will host a meet and greet reception from 6-7 p.m. in Uhazy Hall (UH-223) immediately followed by keynote speaker, Dr. Alexis Gray, a forensic anthropologist for the San Bernardino County Sheriff and Kern County Sheriff, coroner’s division. She will present “Forensic Anthropology and Advocacy: Going Beyond CSI” in Uhazy Hall (UH-201). Standard II FPD Credit. For more information, please contact Dr. Darcy Wiewall at darcy.wiewall@avc.edu.

Keynote Speaker

Dr Alexi Gray Dr. Alexis Gray is a forensic anthropologist for the San Bernardino County Sheriff and Kern County Sheriff, coroner’s division. If your first question “is that just like Bones or NCIS” the answer is “sometimes,” as she’s served as an occasional consultant for Bones and things that required an NDA.

Dr. Gray started consulting for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office in 2000. She’s investigated hundreds of cases in the world’s largest county, as well as in Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside and El Dorado counties. She’s provided expert witness testimony for both the prosecution and the defense, as the anthropologist provides the science, not the conviction. Her career has spanned almost three decades.

Dr. Gray works relentlessly to give the unidentified their names back. She is dedicated to finding the missing and seeking justice for those who can no longer advocate for themselves. In addition to her forensic work, Dr. Gray is a full professor and chair of her Department at Norco College.

Keynote Talk:

Forensic Anthropology and Advocacy: Going Beyond CSI

In this talk, we will be looking at Forensic Anthropology as an arm for advocacy. Forensic Anthropologists are often shown in popular media as part of the Law Enforcement Evidence gathering arm, but the field is so much more than that. Forensic anthropologists hold a unique space where we stand witness for those who have lost their lives to violence, to mishaps, to human trafficking, to political pogroms in addition to victims of mass disasters. We will look at issues such as uncovering massacres as well as thorny subjects such as who owns Human Remains and what responsibility do we have as scientists and as people.

Schedule of Events:

Uhazy Hall - Lecture Hall UH-201

12:30 pm
Welcome – What is Anthropology?
Dr. Darcy L. Wiewall, Professor of Anthropology

1:00-3:30 pm
What Can you do with a Degree in Anthropology?

Anthropology Guest Speakers (in presentation order)

Peggy Ronning, Museum Curator III, Antelope Valley Indian Museum, California State Parks
Dr. Bruce Love, Independent Research, Cultural Anthropologist
Araceli Torres Curiel, Undergraduate Research, Antelope Valley College
Emily Elersich and Fernando Flores, Undergraduate Research, AVC
Alexandra Jonassen, Museum Curator I, Inland Empire, California State Parks
Steven Ptomey, Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program, California State Parks
Sarah Bertman, Tribal Archaeologist, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Dr. Gil Ramos, Professor Anthropology, Antelope Valley College

3:30 pm
Alumni Student Panel Q&A

Uhazy Hall - Anthropology Laboratory UH-223

6 pm
Open House Reception Meet and Greet (beverages & appetizers)

Uhazy Hall - Lecture Hall UH-201

7 pm
Welcome: Current News
Dr. Darcy L. Wiewall, Professor of Anthropology
James J. Johannesmeyer Scholarship Endowment

7:30 pm
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Alexis Gray, forensic anthropologist, San Bernardino County Sheriff and Kern County Sheriff, coroner’s divisions