The ISEM was established nearly forty years ago to foster interdisciplinary research in geology and anthropology. It also conducts a structured program of events directed toward the energy industry.

My vision for the Institute focuses on the support of graduate student research, because graduate students embody the essence of creativity and energy that makes universities great. They are role models for undergraduates. They are builders of the future, and they deserve the best help they can get to obtain their scientific goals. They are wildcatters embarking on the world's future.

I would further distill that down to say our fundamental mission is to promote excellence in the departments of Geology and Anthropology at SMU by facilitating the creation of new knowledge, and to promote, reciprocally, the dissemination and use of that knowledge throughout the community and the attraction and use of knowledge, skills, and talents of the community to the departments of Geology and Anthropology at SMU. If we maintain that focus, we will reserve a clear place in the world, because the implications of what we do are global in scope and
diverse in relevance.

“In my opinion, the most creative research at a university is done by the most energetic investigators, by which I mean graduate students. That is who we can support best.”

The state of science has changed tremendously over the last forty years. Nevertheless, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies are still important and still relevant. But their nature has changed. Nowadays, advances are facilitated to some extent by technology, by being able to measure smaller quantities more precisely, or by manipulating larger databases, for example. Given that, there are extremes to the spectra in both anthropology and geology where overlap is less than obvious. In general, it matters not whether measurements or databases are made for archaeological or geological purposes, so long as the relevance of the data to both are recognized. Research trends in geology and archaeology include major efforts to understand the environment in broad and specific ways, thus reflecting the evolution of both disciplines and their interrelationship. The ISEM captures that concept by fostering the departments of geology and anthropology at a major university and, so far as I know, that is unique.

Moreover, because of the flow of students through the university, there is a continual infusion of enthusiasm. In my opinion, the most creative research at a university is done by the most energetic investigators, by which I mean graduate students. That is who we can support best. Their efforts insure a steady stream of new knowledge, but not just any new knowledge: It is new knowledge that is interesting to both scientists and nonscientists. That is the nature of geology and anthropology. It is the kind of knowledge that may have economic or social relevance at high levels on one extreme, and concomitantly be of such general interest on the other that it provides the first introduction to science for many children. Those are valuable qualities that make us broadly relevant and allow us to build relationships with the community. That is why we can work so well with natural history museums, on the one hand, and on the other produce credible energy programs. So far as I am aware, that is unique.

The features that make us unique are the essence of our character and they are the elements of our strength. They are: interesting subject matter, students, interface with the community, value added to the energy industry.

How do we build on these strengths?

• Build graduate student support. Support of graduate student research is fundamental because graduate students embody the essence of creativity and energy that makes universities great. They are role models for undergraduates. They are builders of the future, and they deserve the best help they can get to obtain their scientific goals. Supporting graduate students means we are facilitating the departments of geology and anthropology to be the best they can be, which is a recruiting tool and a mechanism for continued improvement, which is a tangible benefit to the university.
   
• Be players in the community. We should not be simply interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. We should strive to be multiinstitutional and interinstitutional. If our subject matter is really as interesting as we think, it should be in demand, and it is. Let's use it. Sacred Space, our role at the Dallas Museum of Natural History, and at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas are our current beginning. Most importantly, we should be bigger players in the departments we support and the university that hosts us. Can we do more and do better?

The President's Report is simply this: We should stay focused on our mission and build to our strengths because those are our identity and worth.

All of you knew this, but I am new on the job.