What an amazing accomplishment. We have 7 hours left, I wonder if we could actually hit $10,000????

WOW the Grandad crowdfunding has been so amazingly successful! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Hum wonder if we can reach an even $10,000. We have one day left. I bet we can hit it!

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all of you who have contributed to this amazingly successful Grandad crowdfunding opportunity. WE ONLY HAVE 2 MORE DAYS LEFT. If you have thought about donating but put it off NOW IS THE TIME. Giving even just $20 will send a powerful message to the University that Grandad is important! I will use your voice to leverage sustainable yearly support from the University.

Sending out such a big thank you to all those that have supported Grandad. We have met and surpassed our initial goal! Grandad actually costs $5000 each year to run and I know with the time left in this drive we will hit this ultimate Goal! Again, a heartfelt thank you to all who generously contributed!

Just want to publicly send a shout out to Soar Consulting! It is heartening that this firm understands the important role that CRM firms can play in supporting field schools, particularly because field schools are crucial in training archeology students that are in high demand by these firms. Thank you so much for your generous support!

Grandad is a wonderful rich learning opportunity for our Fresno State Students. It is just the best way to learn how to do archeology. This has directly lead to students getting jobs in the field after they graduate. Please help provide this opportunity to future students with your tax-deductible contribution.  

Wow, we have 25 days left and we are more than halfway there. Your Grandad support is just so heart warming and I am so truly grateful! It reminds me of why I continue to do what I do.

WOW this is only Day 3 of our month long crowdfunding and we are at 39%. I wonder whooooo will make us to 40%. My heart is so warmed by the level of support for Grandad. Thank You SO MUCH.

Over the last 23 years students from Fresno State have taken the Anthropology department’s Archeological Field School (Grandad). So, what has the Grandad Experience meant to these students? What follows is, in their own words, what Grandad has meant to some of these students.

I participated in the Grandad Field School in 2013, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.  After taking courses in archaeology, I was finally able to put my theoretical knowledge out to practice in the field.  This field school is crucial for future anthropology students, like myself, who wish to pursue archaeology.  There is simply no way to understand and grasp archaeology without having a course that teaches you how it is practiced in the real world.  Not only will this course help me pursue future opportunities in archaeology, but the experience I gained during the field school has made me a more competitive applicant for graduate school.  This class also provided the experience I also need to apply to other jobs relating to archaeology.  I also was able to network with other people in archaeology leading to potential job opportunities here in the Central Valley.  This field class was such a wonderful experience.  

Deanna Arsala  

One of my favorite stories that I tell up at Grandad is the Hummingbird story. It tells of the time when there was a giant fire and all the animals were running away. But little hummingbird flew back and forth between the lake and the fire over and over. Finally, Coyote asked him what are you doing. Hummingbird replied the “The best I can.” Often the best you can will be enough. You may think that giving just $20 to support Grandad can’t make a difference! But let me tell you that those $20 add up. I sure understand that for my alumni and students those $20 are not easily parted with, but know that they are crucial to making sure that future students and Native Americans can continue to have this valuable experience.

Over the last 23 years students from Fresno State have taken the Anthropology department’s Archeological Field School (Grandad). So, what has the Grandad Experience meant to these students? What follows is, in their own words, what Grandad has meant to some of these students.

The Grandad field school in Boot Jack California is an essential part of the archaeological program at Fresno State. For me, doing archaeology in the field cemented the methodological concepts I learned in the classroom. Additionally, with hands on lessons, the Grandad field school was a valuable place to learn about Native American culture.

Apart from the benefits of learning methodology and culture, the experience of doing archaeological excavation also helped to form cohesion between classmates. Personally, this cohesion played a big role during the regular semester. Bonds created during field school provided a feeling of place and acceptance within the Anthropology program. I feel this sense of place is crucial to academic success.

I hope that the Grandad field school will be available to future students so that they can have the same growing and learning experiences that I had.

Alex Verdugo

2008 Grandad Alumni

My students who have been up at Grandad will always remember their Grandad names that they are given. My early risers, who get an early start to the day, often get the name Yowah. These are beautiful yellow flowers (Tarweed) that brighten my Grandad mornings. Those that are sleepy heads are often named Kaseen (Redmaids) that open there pink flowers only around midday. Get an early jump on supporting Grandad and give now - be a Yowah not a Kaseen LOL.