The Anthropology Department at the University of Colorado is celebrating the retirement of program assistant Connie Turner, who joined the department in 1993. Since arriving to the university, Connie has been a force for cohesion in the department, and is beloved by many for her warmth, genuine support, and integrity. Former students remember Connie as “the heart of the department, always turning her head towards the door to greet anyone who came through that department door.” They describe her as “a friend,” as “welcoming,” “cheerful,” “comforting,” and “extremely patient” with their “various needs.” They also remember her as “inspiring,” “righteous,” and “resourceful,” and hope “that she enjoys her retirement knowing that she is loved by many.”

Central to Connie’s interests has been her desire to provide a welcoming home for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other People of Color) and international students. Moreover, she championed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the department, the University, and across Denver. We are honoring Connie with an endowment campaign to provide scholarships to help support diversity in the field of Anthropology and liberal arts education generally by funding each year a fellowship for a graduate student from under-represented groups or a speaker in the fields of medical anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For more information and to donate to this worthy cause:  Give to Anthropology DEI