Anthropology

Your gift on Giving Day will support the Department of Anthropology through the Keith Kanbe Memorial Fund and the George C. Frison Memorial Fund.

The Keith Kanbe Memorial Scholarship Fund

Keith Kanbe served UW for 40 years. He had received a scholarship while he was a student and never forgot the difference it made in helping him earn his degree.

Keith was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but definitely called Laramie his second home. He arrived in Wyoming in the early fall of 1981 and began working in the Acquisitions Department at Coe Library. In 1988, he began working on his master’s degree in counseling and graduated in 1990. During this time, money was tight, and Keith and his family appreciated the help he received through the Jill Bush Memorial Scholarship. He worked briefly in student services and then worked for some time in the English department before moving to Anthropology. At the time of his death, Keith had just finished his 40th year working at UW.

Keith was adored by all of the Anthropology students and known for his warmth and friendliness, his sense of humor, and his helpfulness. He regularly surprised the students with pizza lunches and was always the first to volunteer for university events that celebrated the students and their accomplishments. He was a world-class party planner and was always available to give advice or share gossip with the faculty and students.

Keith’s passing in 2021 was sudden, unexpected, and felt by all who knew him. Keith was a devoted dad and loved spending time with his family. He was a friend to all. This scholarship fund is one small way we hope to honor a beloved University of Wyoming staff member. Thank you for honoring Keith’s legacy at the University and helping Anthropology students accomplish their goals!

The George C. Frison Memorial Fund

George C. Frison Memorial Fund was created to honor of Dr. Frison, a Wyoming native and a giant in the field or archaeology and anthropology. Donations to this endowed fund will go directly to supporting critical archaeological and anthropological research in the West, topics that were near and dear to Dr. Frison's heart over his long career. Thank you for supporting our field and the enduring legacy of George Frison.