Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

In 1997, an awards program was started by the TCPA to publicly acknowledge archaeologists, students, and avocational archaeologists who have made contributions to Tennessee archaeology. For information on the Research Award, please see that page. TCPA currently offers the following awards and recognitions. For more information on how to nominate a person or a group for a particular award, please see the Awards section under Section XIII of the TCPA bylaws.

Professional Career Achievement Award

The Professional Career Achievement Award is presented to those who have demonstrated outstanding and significant professional contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage. Throughout their career, nominees must have also demonstrated a high level of commitment to the goals of the TCPA which include facilitating and assisting in the practice of professional archaeology in the State of Tennessee, disseminating archaeological information in Tennessee, stimulating and encouraging cooperation between professional and non-professional archaeologists, and encouraging and exhibiting high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of archaeology.

Past Recipients of the Professional Career Achievement Award:

  • Tom Des Jean (2021)
  • Mike C. Moore (2020)
  • Nick Honerkamp (2019)
  • Suzanne Hoyal (2017)
  • John B. Broster (2013)
  • Samuel D. Smith (2010)
  • Mack Pritchard (2009)
  • George F. “Nick” Fielder (2007)
  • Charles H. McNutt (2005)
  • Charles H. Faulkner (2005)

Avocational Lifetime Achievement Award

The Avocational Lifetime Achievement Award shall be presented to those who have made outstanding and significant lifelong avocational contributions to the understanding and preservation of archaeology in Tennessee. Throughout their career, nominees must have demonstrated high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of archaeology and a commitment to the stated goals of the TCPA. For having made outstanding and significant lifelong contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage.

Past Recipients of the Avocational Lifetime Achievement Award:

  • Jim Warner Parris (posthumously) (2015)
  • S.D. Dean (2006)
  • Willard S. Bacon (2005)
  • Lib Roller (2000)
  • John T. Dowd (1999)
  • H.C. “Buddy” Brehm (posthumously) (1999)
  • George Heinrich (1998)

Outstanding Thesis or Dissertation in Tennessee Archaeology

The Outstanding Thesis or Dissertation in Tennessee Archaeology Award shall be presented to those who have completed a thesis or dissertation focused on research in Tennessee archaeology. The Award is open to current members of the TCPA who have completed their M.A./M.S. or Ph.D. within the previous three years from the date of award. 

Past Recipients of the Outstanding Thesis or Dissertation in Tennessee Archaeology:

  • (2021) Scott Jones, for “Late Pleistocene Adaptations in the Midsouth: The Paleoindian Occupation of the Carson-Conn-Short Site and the Lower Tennessee River Valley,” Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Kentucky, 2018
  • (2020) Kelly Ledford, for “Somewhere between Wild and Domestic: An Examination of the Human-Turkey Relationship during the Mississippian Period in Middle Tennessee,” M.A. Thesis, Florida State University
  • (2007) Sarah Anne Blankenship, for “Archaeological and Dendrochronological Investigations at Cagle Saltpeter Cave, Van Buren County, Tennessee,” M.A. Thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2007
  • (2004) Brian W. Thomas, for “Community among Enslaved African Americans on the Hermitage Plantation, 1820s-1850s,” State University of New York at Binghamton, 1995
  • (2004) Philip J. Carr, for “Hunter-gatherers, Mobility, and Technological Organization: the Early Archaic of East Tennessee,” University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1995

The following awards and recognitions have been awarded in the past by TCPA but were retired by the TCPA Board on September 3, 2019.

Avocational Archaeologist of the Year

For outstanding and significant contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage.

  • Jamie Evans (2008)
  • Roger Armes (1998)

Special Recognition in Avocational Archaeology Award

For outstanding and meritorious contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage.

  • Alan Cressler (2007)

Special Recognition for Archaeological Preservation

For outstanding and meritorious contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage.

  • Arthur Cushman (2009)

Avocational Archaeologist of the Year

For outstanding and significant contributions to the understanding and preservation of Tennessee’s archaeological heritage.

  • Jamie Evans (2008)
  • Roger Armes (1998)