This year's 13th annual Hispanic Forum was dedicated to the work of James B. Petersen, who was shot and died while doing field work in the Amazon in the summer of 2005. Jim Petersen was an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Chair of the Anthropology Department at the University of Vermont. As a field archaeologist he worked in the Amazon, in the Caribbean, and in the United States. The discoveries that he and his colleagues Michael Heckenberger of the University of Florida and Eduardo Neves of the University of Sao Paulo have made over the last two decades about the nature of indigenous societal development in the Amazon during the centuries before European arrival have dramatically changed the nature of the discussion about early indigenous culture in the Amazon region. Though the archaeological work continues, Jim's loss is greatly felt. This symposium paid tribute to Jim by highlighting his work and by also considering the work of other UVM faculty and Vermonters who are engaged with Amazon and Brazilian projects.
The Symposium was held on October 12 and 13 in Memorial Lounge in the Waterman Building. The program was designed to honor Jim in three aspects of his life: his own archaeological work in the Caribbean and Amazon, his long standing devotion to the University of Vermont, and his great affection for the State of Vermont. Thursday's session, which began with presentations by John Crock and Michael Heckenberger, focused on the Amazon and Caribbean discoveries with which Jim was associated. Friday's sessions provided a cross section of research and outreach projects that involve UVM faculty and members of the Vermont community with the Amazon and Brazil. Among the UVM faculty making presentations were Eneida Campos of the Gund Institute, Janet Whatley and Juan Maura from Romance Languages, David Scrase from German and Russian, and David Jenemann from English. The final session explored other Vermont connections with Brazil and the Amazon with talks by Keri Bristow and John Hieers of Woodstock Union High School, Akilah Clarke of the School for International Training in Brattleboro, and Patricia Delaney from St. Michael's College.
Jim was an important contributing member to the University of Vermont community. He gave of himself intellectually and collegially. He was a thoughtful and generous person who provided unstinting support and aid to colleagues and students when asked. This symposium was but a small gesture on the part of his colleagues to honor his memory.
The symposium was generously supported by: Bailey-Howe Library; College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the Dean; Departments of Anthropology, Art, German and Russian, History, Religion, and Romance Languages; Fleming Museum; Gund Institute; an International Incentive Committee Grant; UVM Honors College; UVM Humanities Center; and UVM Vermont Studies Program.
