2025 Spring Newsletter
Dear Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Members and Faculty,
What an exciting year it's been for Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society! As we approach the final months of the 2024-2025 academic year, I'm delighted to share our remarkable achievements and growth. Our society is buzzing with new energy! We've opened eight new chapters. Welcome to our most recent new member, the University of West Florida, and welcome back to reactivated chapters from the past month, UNC Chapel Hill and Portland State! Another feather in our cap – we've gone global thanks to our first international chapter from the University of Waikato. Kia ora to all our anthropology friends in Aotearoa New Zealand! Our new expansion truly embodies our commitment to fostering a worldwide community of anthropologists.
We began 2024 with a brand new website and will continue to add new tools to enhance the user experience. Our dedicated team is always hard at work to support our members. This year, we launched our first Career Readiness Workshop, expertly led by Dr. Elizabeth Briody of The Anthropology Career Readiness Network. It was such a hit that we're making it an annual event. Stay tuned for more student success initiatives.
A hearty congratulations to all our new inductees and graduating seniors! You're now part of a legacy of scholars pushing the boundaries of anthropology. I applaud the dedication of departments that sponsor their students' Lambda Alpha memberships. Our modestly-priced membership is a lifetime investment that goes a long way in supporting alumni relations and professional development.
Research remains at our core. Our annual research awards continue to advance the brilliant work of our student members. Calling all undergrads and grad students – our 2025 research awards are now open for applications! Please send applications to awards@laanthro.org by April 1st, 2025.
Faculty advisors deserve much appreciation and support for their service to students and anthropology. I’d like to take this opportunity to inform faculty advisors to keep an eye out for updates on our upcoming career workshop. Please contact me if you are interested in collaborating to build our virtual research seminar series. We’d love to showcase your research as well as your students’ research. These events will spotlight the incredible work happening in our multidisciplinary field.
February 20 is World Anthropology Day! Send us your chapter news and photographs at outreach@laanthro.org. From bridging cultural divides to tackling global challenges, our field equips us with the tools to make a real impact. As we look to the future, let's continue to celebrate anthropology's transformative power.
Warm regards,
Dr. Ritu Gairola Khanduri
Executive Director
Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society
