Janet M. Fitchen was a professor of Anthropology at Ithaca College from 1977 until her untimely passing in 1995. She gained national recognition for her research on rural poverty in the U.S. She was the author of numerous articles and two books; Poverty in Rural America (1981) and Endangered Spaces, Enduring Places: Change, Identity, and Survival in Rural America (1991). In addition to her extensive research she was a distinguished teacher, recognized with a Dana Teaching Award in 1988. In her memory family, friends and colleagues established the endowment titled “The Janet Fitchen Student Development Fund” to support anthropology students at Ithaca College.
The Janet M. Fitchen Service Award
Each year the Anthropology Department will recognize students who show excellence in providing service to communities outside of their normal course assignments. This award reflects the Department’s commitment in the area of Applied Anthropology as part of an overall education in the discipline of Anthropology whether projects carried out are uniquely or a combination of archeological, biological or cultural. The awardees will receive $100.00 with a certificate noting their achievement at our annual Faculty/Student Department gathering, and their name inscribed on the Fitchen Awards plaque displayed in the Department hallway in Gannett.
Eligibility: Faculty and students may nominate students for service awards in the spring semesters by filling out the service award application form, clearly outlining the place of service and providing a justification for the award. Students should note that these activities have taken place outside of normal course assignments. A letter of recommendation from the place of service and a faculty member should accompany the nomination. Please note that student interest in applied/service projects may begin within a specific course but should clearly go above and beyond a required assignment.
Deadline: October 30 (Fall) and March 30 (Spring) [deadline subject to change]
Fitchen Fund Application Checklist
*Attach this checklist to the front of your application.
Name: Date:
Type of Funding/Award Request:
_____ Professional Development or Research Grant
_____ Fitchen Paper Award
_____ Fitchen Service Award