Dr. Janet L. Walsh, 2026 Sweeney Medalist, Remarks to the Explorers Club
It was an honor and privilege to have been selected as the 2026 Sweeney medalist.
Inspired as a child by my Uncle Philip Walsh I became an amateur archologist. Always alert to the ground I was alerted to a large cash of arrowheads when my horse, Admiral Sport, abruptly stopped on top of them. With help from the Georgia state archologist I worked on the site for seven years and wrote about it for the local papers. Several years later, the same horse refused to come when I called forcing me to stomp out to the pasture to get him and tripped over a cache of stone axes including one made entirely of mica and used in ceremonial activities. Both sites date from mid-archaic period to early woodland.
A colleague from the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) introduced me to a person who was from the Explorers Club, and we talked about the sites I’d found which is how I was invited to join. (As an aside, I was very proud to reintroduce the TRA to TEC resulting in the annual TRA book award held at the Club last week.) What I liked about The Explorers Club was the opportunity to work on archeological and paleontological activities with colleagues from all over the world.
Upon moving back to the East Coast from GA, I became more involved in TEC, volunteering, joining archeological and paleontological expeditions and activities, supporting the TEC Cubs project and arranging field trips for members.
I was asked to join the board seven years ago and head up the EGC, which turned out to be a great alignment with my experience in operations, banking, HR, research, and my global business work which has taken me to 87 countries. In the role of Chair of Ethics and Governance those experiences were particularly helpful in understanding the challenges faced by my board colleagues, chapter chairs, expedition leaders, researchers, legal and financial issues. Those experiences helped in sorting through the issues that came to the EGC to find a pathway that best served the organization..
Work as the chair of EGC gave me a much deeper connection to the TEC, organizational values, people, and infrastructure. I encourage all of you to consider deepening your relationship to the organization by volunteering your unique skills to grow the organization. Working with the diverse and talented TEC board and in particular, EGC team of highly talented TEC leaders-Bill Liss, Benjamin Hulsey, Marilyn Wiles, Idee Matthews, Devon Chivas, Dan Kobal and Richard Wiese on exceptionally sensitive issues, creating governance structures that met operational and legal needs was an education in and of itself. The experience and fulfillment can’t be acquired by membership alone. The EC 50, Explorer Cubs, and Young Explorers are all programs worthy of your involvement and mentorship!
Thank you!
