The Life and Achievements of Richard Leakey

World-renowned paleoanthropologist and conservationist Richard E. Leakey begins his relationship with Stony Brook University, receiving an honorary doctorate in recognition of his vast contributions to our understanding of humanity and his dedication to saving wildlife.

Leakey accepts the position of visiting professor of anthropology at Stony Brook. In addition to teaching and lecturing, he creates a series of Human Evolution Workshops, convening the leading scientists in their respective fields to examine current issues in human prehistory.

Meave Leakey joins SBU as an adjunct faculty in anthropology.

Richard Leakey and SBU host "LifeMatters: The World Environmental Forum." This first-of-its-kind forum brings together the world's leading environmental scientists to address vital issues pertaining to the survival of the Earth as we know it. Leakey also becomes full-time faculty this year.

Richard Leakey partners with Stony Brook to create the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI), a collaborative, international, multi-disciplinary organization that facilitates scientific research in the Turkana Basin region of northern Kenya.

Louise Leakey official joins SBU as faculty.

Richard Leakey is the honoree at the annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala.

Richard Leakey participates in Inauguration Week for SBU President Samuel L. Stanley and delivers a lecture, "Does Prehistory Matter in the 21st Century?" It is part of the Inauguration Faculty Lecture Series.

TBI holds its first Origins Field School for students.

Leakey and President Stanley establish the TBI International Advisory Board.

The School of Communication and Journalism's "Journalism Without Walls" program visits TBI.

An engineering summer field school, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is offered for the first time.

Richard Leakey chairs the panel at the Global Forum on the Turkana Basin Institute.

SBU and TBI launch a study on the impact of climate change and evolution in East Africa.

Richard Leakey dies at age 77.

Stony Brook hosts the Richard Leakey Memorial Conference. Louise Leakey gives keynote and Lee Berger announces a historic discovery about an extinct human species.