Lincoln, Neb., July 9, 2003 -- Priscilla C. Grew, professor of geosciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been named director of the University of Nebraska State Museum effective Aug. 18.
"I am delighted that Priscilla has accepted this important position on our campus," said Prem S. Paul, vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies, whose office oversees the museum. "In addition to her distinguished faculty career, Dr. Grew has an extraordinary amount of administrative experience and has been an excellent ambassador for UNL nationally."
Grew will succeed Robert Kaul and William Splinter, who each served as interim directors of the museum during the past year, and James Estes, who was director from 1996 until 2002.
While Grew was UNL vice chancellor for research from 1993 to 1999, she was responsible for general administrative oversight of the museum, and the museum's director reported to her. Since 1998, she has served as UNL's coordinator for campus compliance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In this capacity she has worked with Native American tribes on the repatriation of human remains and funerary objects from UNL's archaeological collections.
"In her role as NAGPRA coordinator, Dr. Grew has worked very closely with the museum and its constituencies. Her decade of experience involving the museum will put her in a strong position as the new director to quickly advance the museum's mission," Paul said.
In addition to her new role as museum director, Grew will hold a quarter-time academic appointment as professor in the department of geosciences, and will continue to serve as UNL's NAGPRA coordinator supervising tribal repatriations.
Before coming to UNL in 1993, Grew served at the University of Minneapolis-Twin Cities as professor and director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, where she led public outreach efforts including the Minnesota county geologic atlas program. Prior to that, she held positions in state government as a Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission and earlier as Director of the California Department of Conservation. She has taught geology and environmental studies at the University of California (Davis and Los Angeles campuses), and at Boston College. During the 1970s, she was executive secretary of the interdisciplinary Lake Powell Research Project based at UCLA and the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.
Grew is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Geological Society of America and the Mineralogical Society of America. Since 1989 she has served on the advisory board of the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford. She has served on many advisory committees of the National Research Council, where she currently chairs the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, and serves on the U.S. National Committee for Diversitas (the international scientific organization devoted to biodiversity science). In 1999 she received the Ian Campbell Medal awarded by the American Geological Institute for her national leadership in promoting awareness of the contributions of geosciences research to society. She is a former Trustee of the National Parks and Conservation Association. Grew earned her bachelor's degree magna cum laude at Bryn Mawr College and her doctorate in geology at the University of California-Berkeley.
"I am thrilled about this new opportunity to work closely with the museum community, including the related academic departments. Our state museum is one of Nebraska's greatest treasures," said Grew. "The public should know that, despite recent budget cuts, the museum is definitely open for your continued enjoyment of Nebraska's natural wonders--please keep on coming to Morrill Hall! I also want to thank everyone who worked so hard to support the museum during this very difficult budget year. Because of this wonderful outpouring of caring and support, our state museum has a bright future and we are going to move forward."
The University of Nebraska State Museum exhibits and facilities are leading tourist attractions in Nebraska, and include specimens from every county in the state. Organized in 1871, the museum now houses more than 13 million objects and specimens, including those displayed in world famous "Elephant Hall" and the Hall of Nebraska Wildlife. The main galleries and exhibits located in Morrill Hall have long been a favorite of families, school children and scholars from Nebraska and around the world. Morrill Hall is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional museum facilities include the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal, Neb., the Trailside Museum at Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, Neb., and the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum in Lincoln.
CONTACT: Priscilla C. Grew , University of Nebraska Museum Director-designate, (402) 472-7854; Mike Zeleny, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research (402) 472-3529;
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Posted by Tom Simons, Office of University Communications
Phone: (402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825