Written by Belle Vang, COSS Communications Student Assistant

DelcoreWe’d like to introduce the new chair in the department of Anthropology, Dr. Henry Delcore. 

Dr. Delcore has been teaching at Fresno State for nineteen years. His courses include Anthropology of Religion, Concepts and Applications, and Intermediate Ethnographic Methods. 

Delcore says his motivation in the field of Anthropology stemmed from understanding people since he likes a good challenge. He grew up near Boston and graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison. 

“I studied abroad in Thailand as an undergraduate and decided to continue with a graduate degree in anthropology so I could continue doing fieldwork,” Delcore said.

We learned about Delcore’s plans for the Anthropology department in a Q&A.

Question: What is one thing people may not know about the Anthropology department?

Answer: Anthropology is a bridge between the sciences and the humanities. We have faculty whose work is heavily invested in humanistic approaches to human life, but I also have colleagues who are doing work that falls more in the sciences, including isotope analysis and archaeological science. We believe all these approaches work together to deliver a holistic picture of the human experience.

Question: What is most exciting about being a faculty member at Fresno State?

Answer: Working with diverse students, many of whom are first-generation college students.

Question: What do you envision will change in the Anthropology department’s future?

Answer: I anticipate the department becoming more efficient, with clearer policies and procedures, and fewer uncertainties about how we will accomplish our goals.

Question: What are you looking forward to the most as the chair of Anthropology?

Answer: My time as Chair will hinge on two things: transparency and accountability. In the past, it has not been entirely clear why the department runs the way it does. This includes curriculum, scheduling, budget, and other matters. I intend to make the department’s operations fully transparent so the faculty have more confidence that the department is on the right track and that they are being treated fairly. Accountability is crucial, and that includes myself.

Question: What’s a fun fact that people may not know about you?

Answer: I used to play hockey (even though I’m only 5’8″!), and I closely follow the San Jose Sharks and the Boston Bruins.