Jeffrey S. Girard, regional archaeologist and assistant professor at Northwestern State University, was named as State Archaeologist of the Year at a ceremony held in Baton Rouge. The honor was part of the 2015 Louisiana Culture Awards presented by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development.

Winners were selected from public nominations earlier this year in concert with the Louisiana State Arts Council, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission, Louisiana Folklife Commission and Council for the Development of French in Louisiana.

Girard has been regional archaeologist in the Louisiana Division of Archaeology and a member of Northwestern State’s faculty since 1989. He has been president of the Caddo Conference Organization since 2013.

Girard is co-author of “Caddo Connections: Cultural Interactions within and beyond the Caddo World” and author of a chapter in “The Archaeology of the Caddo.” He has authored or co-authored nearly 30 articles or book chapters on the Caddo, colonial pottery and archaeology in regional, state, national and international journals. Girard earned a bachelor’s in archaeological studies and a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Texas.

Press Release: NSU
04-22-15