Rice, a professor of anthropology and chairwoman of the Anthropology Department, is the first woman to receive the award since its conception in 1984.

She began investigating Guatemalan culture in 1971 and has continued to study the characteristics of a fascinating people who resisted Spanish conquest.

I am pleased to be counted in the ranks of the distinguished faculty who have won this award, Rice said.

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Rice was one of about 17 scholars to be selected for the award last spring. The committee consisted of prior award winners, representatives of the Graduate Council and Faculty Senate, and members at large selected by the dean of the Graduate School.

When Rice arrived at SIUC in 1991 from the University of Florida, she was dabbling in archaeological investigations in Peru and Guatemala. Rice’s significant findings in the North Guatemalan area of Petn gained some international recognition.

I have been studying the Itzan Mayans, she said. They were the Mayans who resisted Spanish subjugation (around the 15th century) by holding out in the dense jungles around Lake Petn Itza.

John Muller, associate dean of personnel budget and research of the College of Liberal Arts, was integral in the hiring of Rice in 1991. Muller said Rice is a clear example of someone who deserves the award.

Rice’s work in ceramic pottery has become a point of reference for many anthropologists who work with ceramics. She became fascinated with pottery when she was working on her master’s degree and discovered some pottery and did not know how to analyze it.

Muller said Rice’s 559-page book titled, Pottery Analysis, A Sourcebook, is on every good anthropologist’s shelf.

Rice’s involvement in academics includes involvement in numerous archaeological areas. Rice was president of the Society for American Archaeology for three years and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Citizens Advisory Committee.

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I find myself overwhelmed with everything, Rice said. My teaching duties are enormously pleasurable, and I have research obligations as well as chairing the department.

Richard Lanigan Jr., professor of speech communication, was a member of the committee that selected Rice for the award. Lanigan received the award in 1995.

Her involvement at SIU and her status as a role model for graduate students was considered when she was selected, Lanigan said.

Winners of the award receive $5,000 and a self-selected parking space on campus.

Muller said Rice could have been nominated and possibly selected before now, but she declined the nomination so others could be recognized at the time.

She is already visible, he said. People outside of the University don’t need to be told who she is.

Rice said she will continue her work in Peru and Guatemala as well as chairing the department and spending time with her students.

I owe a lot of where I am today to the people who helped me down the road, she said. I will continue to do what I have been doing.