Faculty members see more than what unfolds on stage. We remember the drafts, conference presentations, fieldwork challenges, frustrations, and moments when students themselves were not sure they would make it.
A trowel (/ˈtraʊ.əl/), in the hands of an archaeologist, is like a trusty sidekick – a tiny, yet mighty, instrument that uncovers ancient secrets, one well-placed scoop at a time. It’s the Sherlock Holmes of the excavation site, revealing clues about the past with every delicate swipe.
Last weekend, I attended the UCLA Anthropology commencement celebration.
As a professor, I spend much of my time conducting research, writing, mentoring students, attending meetings, traveling, and chasing deadlines. Yet the most rewarding part of this profession is not seeing your name in print or your work cited by others. It is sitting at commencement and watching your students cross the stage as the familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” fill the air.
No publication or professional award compares to that moment.
