When Evelyn Patterson ’24 first applied to SUNY Brockport, she was unsure of what direction she wanted to take her studies. She never imagined that her college journey would take her across the Atlantic, deep into the archaeological wonders of Spain.
“Having to navigate applying for college at the beginning of COVID-19, I didn’t have any idea about where I wanted to go and only a vague idea of what I wanted to study,” Patterson said. “Brockport was close to home, and the Department of Anthropology provided a well-rounded introduction to explore and build upon.”
Evelyn Patterson with a fragmented roof tile from SPU 7. Photo by Dr. Alex Smith.
As Evelyn continued to study at SUNY Brockport, she found herself fully immersed in the field of anthropology. Once she secured funding to go to Spain for her Senior Honors Thesis, Patterson knew she made the right choice for her major.
“My most significant academic accomplishment while at SUNY Brockport was the process of creating my Senior Honors Thesis,” Patterson said. “I received research funding from the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), which I used to travel to Spain to conduct archaeological fieldwork with Dr. Alexander Smith and the Menorca Archaeological Project at the site of Torre d’en Galmés.”
The experience was nothing short of transformative. Over the summer, Patterson learned to navigate the complexities of field archaeology, from excavation techniques to artifact analysis.
“I was able to confidently identify a topic of original research and create my own plan to achieve the final product,” Patterson said. “My thesis focuses on the analysis of indigenous Menorcan ceramic vessels and presents a new interpretation for their use and symbolism within ritual funerary contexts.”
Patterson presented her thesis, “Re-evaluating the Menorcan High Bottomed Cup as both a Ritual Vessel and Symbolic Mask,” at both Scholars Day and the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference.
“Seeing the project through to the end and sharing the research with my peers was a wonderful way to wrap up my time at Brockport,” Patterson said. “Currently, I am working with Dr. Alexander Smith to expand the research further and create a more in-depth research article.”
Patterson’s time at Brockport not only sharpened her academic skills, but also helped shape her future. “My experiences working with two field projects, Frost Town Archaeology and the Menorca Archaeological Project, writing my thesis, and taking a variety of courses offered by the department have all fueled my desire to continue working in the field and expand my knowledge of the discipline.”
The countless hours spent in classes, the camaraderie shared with professors and fellow students, and the hands-on experiences all reinforced Patterson’s passion for discovery and research. Reflecting on her journey, Patterson had one key piece of advice to share with future anthropology students.
“Don’t be afraid to interact with your professors and peers,” Patterson said. “Those interactions can impact so many aspects of your experience in the field, whether it’s having a comfortable space to hang out and talk, networking, or finding project opportunities.”
Patterson’s experience at Brockport ended up giving her more than just a degree — it gave her direction, confidence, and a deep-rooted love for her future career in the field of anthropology.
“As a result of choosing Brockport and pursuing anthropology, I have worked in the field for three years, participated in internships, curated exhibit cases, and presented original thesis research,” Patterson said. “A complete 180 from my original expectations of what my college experience would be like.”