Anthropology

Alumni

Dr. Phillip Neusius

During 2006 Homecoming week, Dr. Phillip Neusius was honored with Department of Anthropology’s 2006 distinguished alumnus award. Neusius graduated with an MA in Anthropology in 1978, as Dr. William Cremin’s first student. His thesis examined prehistoric settlement systems by a survey of archaeological sites in the lower Kalamazoo River Basin. He went on to receive a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Missouri, and is now the head of the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to being recognized at the award ceremony, Dr. Neusius sat down at an informal lunch with current students. There he answered questions about his time at Western, his later career, and his advce to students now. Among his insights imparted to students was the advice to seize opportunities as they present themselves. As a student, Neusius moved between several advisors before working with Dr. Cremin, at the time a new professor at WMU. Though at the time this shifting between thesis advisors was stressful, Dr. Neusius arrived at a thesis project that fit well with his interests and Dr. Cremin’s expertise. The distinguished alumnus award allowed our department to honor Dr. Neusius as one of our accomplished graduates as well as an opportunity for some of our newest students to learn about the deep history of the University’s Department of Anthropology.