SUU Archaeology Repository Director Honored With UPAC Fellows Award

Barbara Frank, the director of the SUU Archaeology Repository, has been bestowed with the Utah Professional Archaeological Council (UPAC) Fellows Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Utah archaeology spanning 45 years. Frank’s remarkable achievements include her mentorship of students at the Field School and in the Repository, as well as her significant contributions to unraveling the prehistory of southwestern Utah.

Expressing her passion for archaeology, Frank remarked, "I love archaeology and feel fortunate to have been able to have a job which I still love. I enjoy communicating my enthusiasm for the field to students and interested audiences."

Frank’s journey with SUU began in the summer of 1984 when she joined Dr. Richard A. Thompson in the Archaeological Field School Program. Since 1995, she has been at the helm of the Archaeology Repository, where her dedication to the field has left an indelible mark.

"Archaeology, a sub-discipline of Anthropology, is about discovering new ideas and ways of looking at the human experience through time,” Frank elucidated. “I love connecting with the past and the prehistoric cultures of this region through fieldwork and exposing students to the field."

The UPAC Fellows Award stands as a testament to Frank’s invaluable contributions recognized by her peers. Her expertise in mentoring students, her enduring commitment to Utah archaeology, and her profound understanding of the prehistory of southwestern Utah have earned her this esteemed accolade, marking her as the 12th recipient in 40 years.

Frank's expertise extends beyond her work at SUU; she has also contributed to the book "With Grit and Determination: A Century of Change for Women in Great Basin and American Archaeology" (University of Utah Press), sharing her experiences as a successful archaeologist without a graduate degree.

Barbara Frank’s unwavering dedication and profound knowledge of prehistoric cultures in southwestern Utah make her a deserving recipient of the UPAC Fellows Award. SUU takes pride in her presence on our staff and extends heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor.