VIU’s Department of Anthropology administers three dedicated awards for anthropology students: the Anthropology Club Award, Adventures in Anthropology Award and the Worldbridger Award. The latter, which replaced the Essex and Kent/Stephen Salem Award (2008-2011), is named after the Worldbridger Film Series. An Anthropology Club Award has been given every year in the spring since 2004; students must apply to be considered. In 2018 the Adventures in Anthropology Award was established specifically for field school students.
Anthropology Club Award
In 2002, members of the student club wanted to establish an award for those majoring in anthropology. In order to create an endowed award, the VIU Foundation Office was approached to determine the initial amount necessary. In brain-storming fund-raising methods, a head shave was suggested as one of the students was already sporting a shorn pate. Dr Imogene Lim offered her hair (and head) should the target figure of $3000 be reached.
The club achieved more than its goal of $3000. As part of the “event,” Rich Johnston, VIU’s President at the time, was barber-of-the day. He "won" the honour by giving the largest donation ($500). The campaign began in winter with the head shave scheduled Wednesday, February 20, at noon in the Welcome Centre, Nanaimo Campus.
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After two years, interest in the endowment was sufficient for the Department to present its first Anthropology Club Award. This was due in part to the generosity of Foundation supporters as the Foundation Office doubled the initial monies raised for the Anthropology Endowment Fund. From two awards in 2004, the Department increased the amount from $150 to $500 within a decade. Depending on the interest available, additional awards are given and/or an increased sum of money.
Adventures in Anthropology Award
In 2018, Dr. Imogene Lim established an endowment award to support anthropology students participating in a Department-sponsored field school. The name, Adventures in Anthropology, was selected by faculty from suggestions submitted by current students and alumni. The individual of the winning entry received a gift card, as did another in a random draw.
Given the high costs of travel, the amount of the award differs based on whether it is an international field school or a domestic one, that is, $1000 for international, or $500 for domestic. Based on the interest of the endowment, there will be two awards available annually (and only when a Department-sponsored field school is offered).
Worldbridger Award
Stephen Salem was one of the two inaugural Anthropology Club Award recipients. Thanks to his family a new award, the Essex and Kent/Stephen Salem Award was funded, 2008-2011. This was to be a merit based award, selected by the Department; however, the recipient was also to reflect service to community, one of Stephen's notable characteristics.
This was the first award to honour one of our top students. The Department decided that it wanted to continue with a comparable award and so the Worldbridger Award was launched in 2012. This has been supported by the Anthropology Endowment Fund, which receives an annual donation from the Worldbridger Film Series, created and produced by Dr. Colleen McVeigh.
Dorothy Young Excellence in Archaeology Award
Dorothy Young was one of the founding members of the Nanaimo Branch of the Archaeological Society of British Columbia (ASBC-NB). For those who knew her, she was passionate about archaeology and an essential member of the ASBC-NB. On her passing in 2015, ASBC-NB provided funds for three awards in her memory, Dorothy Young Excellence in Archaeology Award (2016-18). It was available to a 3rd or 4th year Anthropology major with selection based on academic excellence to a student who was notable for their passion for archaeology.
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