Annual Meeting
Special Events
Special Events

Non-SVP Special Event

Special Lecture by Neil Shubin
Tuesday, October 14
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Murch Auditorium

Neil Shubin will present on his most recent discovery, Tiktaalik, and his new book, Your Inner Fish: A Journey Through the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body (Pantheon Press), which was released January 15, 2008. Tiktaalik roseae has been dubbed the "missing link" between fishes and land animals. Shubin researches the evolutionary origin of anatomical features of animals, with the evolution of limbs being his specific area of expertise. He uses his diverse fossil findings to devise hypotheses on how anatomical transformations occurred by way of genetic and morphogenetic processes. Shubin has published multiple articles in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleobiology, as well as more than 18 articles in Science and Nature.

Transportation to the event is not provided. The CMNH is located five miles from the conference hotel at 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle, Cleveland, OH 44106.


SVP Special Events


SVP Town Hall Meeting on Evolution VI
Wednesday, October 15
During the lunch hour
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

Evolution education controversies continue despite the landmark Kitzmiller "Intelligent Design" trial verdict of three years ago. Exciting new efforts are underway to enhance both evolution education and the public's understanding of science. Up-to-date information will be shared by members of the SVP Education and Outreach Committee, and there will be opportunity for discussion during a brief open mike session.

NOTE: Boxed lunches are available for purchase, but must be ordered in advance with your annual meeting registration.

Co-organizers:
Judy Scotchmoor
Assistant Director
University of California Museum of Paleontology
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA USA
E-mail: jscotch@berkeley.edu

Mark Terry
Science Department Chair
Northwest School
Seattle, WA USA
E-mail: mark.terry@northwestschool.org

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Welcome Reception
Wednesday, October 15
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Museum of Natural History

See a beautiful museum in Cleveland's famous University Circle area and mingle with old timers and newcomers alike during a relaxed mixer to kick off the annual meeting. A light dinner and a cash bar will be provided. The reception is included in your registration fee.

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PaleoArt Poster Exhibit
Wednesday, October 15
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Although held in conjunction with the annual SVP meeting and during Wednesday’s Opening Reception, this is a juried PaleoArt Poster Exhibit, and is not affiliated with or sponsored by SVP, but is presented through an arrangement by the PaleoArt Poster Committee with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to complement the meeting. This exhibit presents an opportunity for paleoartists to expose the SVP community to the art of clarification, resconstruction, and visualization required by the science of paleontology to re-create and enliven extinct flora and fauna. No prizes will be awarded.

Click here for complete details.

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Women in Paleontology Luncheon: "National Science Foundation Funding"
Date will be announced in the Second Circular and on the SVP Web site.
During the lunch hour
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

The Women in Paleontology Luncheon organizers are proud to announce that Dr. Judith Skog, the director of the Biological Infrastructure Division at the National Science Foundation, will be speaking on funding paleontological research through NSF. She will be discussing topics such as how NSF funding "works," program goals in both the Biology and Geosciences program areas and successful proposal strategies. As always, men are welcome to attend the Women in Paleontology Luncheon especially in this case with a topic relevant to both genders.

NOTE: Boxed lunches are available for purchase, but must be ordered in advance with your annual meeting registration.

Organizer:
Karen Sears
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL USA
E-mail: kesears@alumni.uchicago.edu

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SVP Annual Business Meeting
Thursday, October 16
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

An opportunity to quickly understand SVP's: budget, financial and membership picture, election results, accomplishments and current initiatives.

NEW! Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided.

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Frans Lanting: Life: A Journey Through Time
Thursday, October 16
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(including time for questions and answers)
A book signing and reception will follow.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

Frans Lanting, acclaimed as one of the great nature photographers of our time, will lead us on a personal journey of the making of his latest book, Life: A Journey Through Time. In the year 2000, Lanting set off on a journey of photographic discovery that parallels new scientific insights about the story of life on Earth. His search has been wide-ranging and provocative, leading him from microscopic worlds to primordial landscapes that preserve time capsules of life's history. The result is a glorious celebration of planet Earth that inspires and informs through images and stories of the amazing biodiversity that surrounds us all. Lanting's infl uential work appears in books, magazines and exhibitions around the world, and has frequently been commissioned by National Geographic, where he has served as a photographer-in-residence.

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Student Roundtable Forum and Reprint Exchange
Thursday October 16
9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

During this informal session students can network and receive accurate and important advice from respected experts and leaders on many topics including:

The Student Reprint Exchange is a chance for you to build your library, free of charge. Recent reprints on all areas of vertebrate paleontology will be available through the generous donations of SVP members. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Organizer:
Kerin Claeson
Student Liaison Committee Chair
E-mail: kclaeson@mail.utexas.edu

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Global Climate Change: Past and Future
SVP Engages in a Hot Topic

Watch for an announcement about a forum on global climate change -- past and future, at the Cleveland Meeting. This special forum, inspired by SVP's commitment to address topics relevant to vertebrate palentology and society, will feature vertebrate palentologists and specialists from other fields.

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SVP's Annual Benefit Auction and Social
Friday, October 17
6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

The Auction Committee, under the stewardship of Brent Breithaupt, continues with impressive surprises around every corner. From themed costumes (last year the auction committee dressed ready to play a part in "The Pirates of the Caribbean") to the hundreds of one-of-a-kind items there for the bidding. Plan to be a part of it all -- start gathering items to be donated for the silent and live auctions. No item is too small, nor too big. These may include fossil replicas, books, reprints, artwork, toys, t-shirts -- use your imagination. Fossils will not be accepted. A light meal and a cash bar will be provided.

For more information on the SVP Auction contact:
Brent H. Breithaupt
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY USA
Phone: 307/766-2646
E-mail: uwgeoms@uwyo.edu

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Awards Banquet
Saturday, October 18
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

SVP members and friends will come together to recognize and honor a few of their own. The Society's awards and prizes will be presented after dinner. Casual attire.

NOTE: All seating at the banquet must be reserved. Seat reservations will be done onsite.

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After-Hours Party
Saturday, October 18
10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

Unwind and exchange notes, name tags and good-byes at this conclusion to a great week. Music and a cash bar will be provided.