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By Jennifer M. Fitzenberger
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 16, 1996
Few children who spend their younger days digging and building castles out of sand ultimately choose to make the dirt their homes.Outside the sandbox, however, is a world of opportunity in the field of archaeology and near Eastern studies, just ready for the taking by dedicated individuals.
For Albert Leonard Jr., professor of classics, determination and a passion for archaeology has paid off and the 26-year member of the American Schools of Oriental Research recently was elected vice president of the archaeological organization.
As vice president, Leonard's main duty will be to oversee the publications of ASOR, which come out every three or four months.
"I am basically in charge of putting together the package that goes out," Leonard said.
He said he is also in charge of personally visiting over 60 ASOR digs to make sure everything is running smoothly.
ASOR, founded in 1895, is an organization dedicated to the excavation and field research of the Middle East, and is the main professional society for Americans doing research in the area.
Leonard got his start with ASOR as a student writting letters asking permission to go on archaeological digs. "I got the chance to participate in my first excavation in Israel. I paid my own way and worked my butt off to do and learn everything that I could," he said.
Leonard has been involved with many sanctions overseas and has spent 12 years in Greece researching, and writing about his trade. He also has directed or co-directed projects in Portugal, Italy, Cypress, Jordan and Egypt.
Studying the land is not always as easy as it sounds, Leonard said.
"You find yourself digging a dusty hole in 120 degree weather during the field seasons, and then in the winter, we try to find parallels and compare our data to other findings," he said.
Despite the weather-related downfalls to the job, Leonard said he feels his work has many benefits. "You get the satisfaction of reaching an audience in different political positions. We have been the 'American umbrella' for over a century, and people know who we are," he said.
"I will not go out in the field as much with my new job as vice president, but I eventually hope to continue with my travels and research," Leonard said.
For students interested in archaeology, the UA has many classes in archaeology, classics and near Eastern studies that, Leonard said, are both intellectually stimulating and fulfill general education requirements.
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