NSights Blog

Sarah Cowie KUNR interview: Teaching us who we were, what we can be

A recent KUNR interview with Anthropology's Sarah Cowie illuminated the Native American experience.

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in a "Beyond the Headlines" segment hosted by KUNR general manager David Stipech, featuring Sarah Cowie, an assistant professor of anthropology, and Sherry Rupert, a University alumna and executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission.

Sarah was recently named one of the 105 Presidential Early Career Award recipients for Scientists and Engineers by President Barack Obama. The Presidential Early Career Award is the highest honor awarded by the U.S. government to scientists and engineers at the early stages of their career. Awards are given to outstanding scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of scientific knowledge during the 21 st century.

Sarah's work is an excellent example of how the talent of our faculty firmly mobilize our missions of learning, discovery and engagement. Sarah's nationally recognized research, and the meaningful engagement and partnership that has come from it - particularly in a partnership with Sherry, one of our most respected leaders of the Native American community, in telling the story of the historic Stewart Indian School in Carson City - has provided us with something extremely valuable. Sarah's important work helps give us a better sense of who we once were, who we are today, and what we can be in the future. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Sarah and Sherry's work, on behalf of the University and the native people of our state, should make us all feel proud.

University President Marc Johnson