PSU/OREGON NEWS: September Oregon Archaeological Society Lecture

Dr. Cameron Smith is the featured lecturer at the September 1 Oregon Archaeological Society meeting. He will address the “Evolution of the Mind: An Overview of the Fascinating New Field of 'Cognitive Archaeology.’” How the physical brain evolved has been known for 150 years, but it has only been recently that archaeologists and psychologists are learning how the mind (what the brain does!) evolved. This presentation discusses how cognitive archaeology is different from 'evolutionary psychology', and what new discoveries have been made.



Smith, a prehistorian at Portland State University, has studied in England, Canada and the United States. His archaeological fieldwork extends from investigating the earliest hominids of Africa to underwater archaeology in coastal Ecuador. His publications include many scientific works, writing for magazines such as Scientific American MIND, and the book "The Top Ten Myths About Evolution", recently endorsed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The presentation is at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) at 7:45 p.m., and is free and open to the public. The talk is preceded at 7 p.m. by a general business meeting, which is also open to the public.

For more information:

www.oregonarchaeological.org

503-727-3507

Cameron M. Smith, PhD

Department of Anthropology

Portland State University

Portland, OR 97210

www.anthropology.pdx.edu

www.cameronmsmith.com

OREGON NEWS: Oregon Coast Aquarium announces new president and CEO

Newport, Oregon—The Oregon Coast Aquarium announces the appointment of Gary Gamer as its new president and chief executive officer. Gamer, who currently resides in Eugene, Ore., will begin his new position September 8.

Gamer brings approximately 25 years of leadership experience with statewide, national and international nonprofit organizations. This includes serving as president and CEO of Holt International Children's Services, based in Eugene, Ore. He has lived and worked also in Portland, New York City and in a number of countries outside of the United States.

“I am thrilled to be joining a talented and committed group of staff and volunteers at the Oregon Coast Aquarium,” said Gamer. “My family has been coming to the aquarium for years and I can personally attest to the impact it has on understanding, appreciating and conserving marine and coastal systems. This is especially true for young people. The aquarium's mission is vital for Oregon’s future and provides great opportunities for building relationships regionally and internationally.”

The position has been open since September 2008, when former President Dale Schmidt accepted the position of assistant zoo director and chief operating officer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. Carrie Lewis, aquarium director of marketing, has been serving as interim president while the search for a new president was conducted.

"We are excited to welcome Gary to the Aquarium," said Lewis. “His strong leadership background, his passion for the Aquarium and belief in our mission is a perfect fit for our organization."

Cindy Hanson

Public Relations Manager

Oregon Coast Aquarium