On-campus memorial service planned for award-winning botanist

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Geoff White,
Anthropology Department
Posted: Jan 28, 2009


Dr. Nina L. Etkin, professor and graduate chair at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Anthropology, passed away from cancer on January 27 after being named one of two recipients of the 2009 Distinguished Economic Botanist Award by the Society for Economic Botany (SEB).

A memorial service will be held on the ground floor of Saunders Hall beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, February 9, with a reception to follow in the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services Room 412. Details may be found on the Anthropology Department Web site at http://www.anthropology.hawaii.edu.. The family requests no flowers be sent, and that any donations be directed to the ACLU, an organization long supported by Etkin.

She was recently named a winner of the SEB‘s highest accolade for professionals. The Distinguished Economic Botanist Award was to have been presented to Etkin on June 5 during a formal ceremony at SEB‘s 50th annual meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

"She was a dear friend, respected colleague and superb mentor," said Geoff White, chairman of the Anthropology Department. "We will miss her more than words can say."

Established in 1978, the Distinguished Economic Botanist Award is bestowed annually for outstanding education and research accomplishments. The SEB is the largest international scientific organization fostering and encouraging research and education on the past, present, and future uses of plants by people.

For more information on Etkin‘s memorial service, contact Marti Kerton at 956-7153 or anthprog@hawaii.edu

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