CLEVELAND—June 14, 2024—On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History hosted a special chairing ceremony—its first in 21 years—recognizing Associate Curator Dr. Emma Finestone as the Museum's inaugural Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins. Previously in March, the Museum announced a $3 million gift from Robert “Bob” and Linnet Fritz that supports its transformation campaign, sponsors the Museum's iconic exhibit of Lucy, and funds this endowed chair.
In addition to providing an important source of funding, an endowed chair serves as an acknowledgment of Dr. Finestone’s commitment to her field, the community, and the advancement of knowledge. Dr. Finestone uses archaeological fieldwork to investigate adaptive shifts in the human lineage that relate to the early manufacture and use of stone tools. Since joining the Museum in 2022, Dr. Finestone has been awarded a research grant from the Leakey Foundation, led research studies published in the journals PLOS One and the Journal of Human Evolution, and conducted field research in western Kenya. Recently, Dr. Finestone was part of the group of scientists who discovered some of the oldest stone tools ever found at Nyayanga, Kenya. In 2023, she co-authored a study on this discovery that was published in the journal Science. This study has been highlighted as one of the top discoveries in science and human evolution in 2023, featuring in recent publications including The Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, and Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Dr. Finestone received her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center in 2019. Before joining the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Dr. Finestone served as Group Leader of Archaeology and Head of the Archaeology Laboratory Unit at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany. Previously, she served as an instructor at Lehman College and Hunter College and as a research affiliate of the National Museums of Kenya. Prior to her time at CUNY, she worked in the Conservation and Science Department at the Lincoln Park Zoo studying the foraging and tool behaviors of chimpanzees and gorillas. Dr. Finestone earned a B.A. with honors in anthropology and biology from the University of Chicago in 2010.
The Fritzes’ gift was inspired by a longstanding interest in the natural sciences and motivated by a desire to give back to the community. "My interest in human origins goes way back. It has always intrigued me, and I have sought to learn more about it over time,” says Mr. Fritz. “Making this gift means that Linnet and I will truly make a difference in the field of anthropology. And to make this investment right here in Cleveland, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, makes this gift even more meaningful to us."
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s $150 million transformation project is an unprecedented reinvention that will align the Museum’s architecture with its mission of instilling a passion for nature and science in all learners. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised $140 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building to more than 375,000 square feet and its outdoor visitor areas to more than 2 acres. The transformation project aims to broaden community access and help all stakeholders understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The latest milestone in this project was the opening in October 2023 of a welcoming new Visitor Hall, a free community space that showcases eight of the Museum’s most iconic objects and specimens. This dramatic, 14,650-square-foot gallery features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and stunning new exhibits placed along the Douglas McCreery and Dr. Laurie McCreery Timeline of the Earth, which marks key events in the history of the Universe. Slated for completion in late 2024, the Museum’s transformation encompasses a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will highlight the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted community resource. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
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