Anthropolgy
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Norbert Ross takes research to the stage
Vanderbilt Associate Professor Norbert Ross’ theater work has taken him across Latin America, including to Chile and Argentina. (Submitted photo) Norbert Ross isn’t your typical cultural anthropologist. When he’s out in the field in places like Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina and Chile, the associate professor of anthropology in the… Read MoreAug 24, 2026
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Never forgotten: Tiffany Fracchia’s class helps identify missing American WWII soldier in France
Field work led by Associate Professor Tiffany Fracchia recently solved an 80-year-old mystery for the family of a missing World War II soldier. In 2022 and 2023, Fracchia and her students excavated remains from the site of a 1944 B-17G crash near Neron, France. They were later identified by the Department of Defense as U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Gerard J. Melofchik of New York, and his family finally held a memorial for him in November. “Hearing that we were able to bring some peace and answers to another military family … was really rewarding for me,” said Alyssa Bolster, BA’22. Read MoreJan 16, 2026