Dr. Brendon Asher, who started as the director for the Blackwater Draw Historical Landmark and Museum at Eastern New Mexico University in August 2017, was drawn to the position because of his dissertation research on Clovis chipped stone technology.

"The Blackwater Draw locality is the type site for Clovis chipped stone technology, meaning that that particular style of chipped stone projectile point was first defined in the academic literature based on artifacts recovered from the Blackwater Draw Site," he explained.

"Clovis is one of the earliest recognizable and widespread chipped stone technologies found in North America. This makes the Blackwater Draw locality one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America.," he continued.

"The significance of the site and the role it has played in the history of North American archaeology is what attracted me to the position."

He enjoys giving tours at the Blackwater Draw Site to students and tourists. He walks through explaining the history of the site and its discovery and the pre-historic outlook of the compilation of artifacts and bones.

He also teaches courses in the Department of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology, works with archaeological collections in the curation facilities and oversees operations at the Blackwater Draw Site.

His primary goal for his position at ENMU is to increase student involvement at the archaeological site.

"We are lucky to have such an important national historic landmark in our own backyard, and students at Eastern should be allowed the opportunity to utilize this resource, whether through in-depth active student research projects or simple weekend visits to hike the trails and learn about the history of the site," he explained.

Dr. Asher developed an interest in archaeology as a young child when he found chipped stone artifacts in the agricultural fields near his parent's house in Atchison, Kansas. "A desire to learn more about these artifacts and the people that made them, which led me to a career of archaeology and anthropology."

His mother, Maureen, is a physical therapy assistant at the Atchison Hospital and his father, Jim, is a painting contractor who also works in Atchison. His older sister, Audra, is a preschool teacher in Weston, Missouri.

He received his master's degree in anthropology in 2009 and his Ph.D. in archeology in 2015, both at the University of Kansas.

Previously, Dr. Asher was the archaeological consultant with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Kansas State Historical Society and the Center for American Paleolithic Research. He was also an adjunct instructor at Highland Community College in Kansas.

He is involved in the Society for American Archaeology and the Plains Anthropological Association. He works closely with Mu Alpha Nu, the anthropology club at ENMU, and helps with their Annual Atlatl Competition that is held in October at the Blackwater Draw Site.

Dr. Asher loves outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, camping and spending time with family.

His greatest role model was his grandfather. "Growing up, I admired and was impressed by my Grandfather Tom Dooley's memory.

"He was a farmer in Atchison, Kansas and could recall incredible details of any particular day from his past, including if it was sunny or raining, who he was with on that particular day and what they were doing, the price of gas, the model of car they were driving, the clothes they were wearing, what they ate, etc.," he said. "He was also an incredible entertainer, singer, jokester and storyteller."

The director's favorite thing about ENMU is the welcoming community. "Every person I've met has been incredibly friendly," he said.

"My first semester [at ENMU] involved a lot of transition and settling into new adventures, a new environment, new colleagues, a new house and a new University. I am thankful for all the people I have had the opportunity to meet and work with who have made this transition smooth and enjoyable, and I look forward to continued collaboration in the semesters to come."