Award presentation and keynote lecture
Title / Topic T.B.A.
This FREE event will be held
Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 4:30 pm
Wilson Theater (Mayer Hall)
Beloit College
Followed by the fund-raising celebratory dinner.
Beloit College Powerhouse
Award presentation and keynote lecture
Title / Topic T.B.A.
This FREE event will be held
Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 4:30 pm
Wilson Theater (Mayer Hall)
Beloit College
Followed by the fund-raising celebratory dinner. Beloit College Powerhouse
Detail below.
The Roy Chapman Andrews Society is proud to announce that we have selected the Distinguished Explorer Award (DEA) recipient for 2026.
The new DEA recipient is Dr. Nicholas Pyenson. He is a paleobiologist and curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Nick’s work has taken him to every continent, and his scientific discoveries frequently appear in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, National Geographic, and the BBC. His research has received the highest awards from the Smithsonian, and he has also received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Nick is the author of the acclaimed book, Spying on Whales, which describes his scientific adventures chasing the past, present and future of whales all over the world.
Congratulations, Dr. Nick Pyenson!
Dr. Nick Pyenson | Smithsonian
Dr. Nick Pyenson | National Museum Natural History
The Roy Chapman Andrews Society is proud to announce that we have selected the Distinguished Explorer Award (DEA) recipient for 2026.
The new DEA recipient is Dr. Nicholas Pyenson. He is a paleobiologist and curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Nick’s work has taken him to every continent, and his scientific discoveries frequently appear in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, National Geographic, and the BBC. His research has received the highest awards from the Smithsonian, and he has also received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Nick is the author of the acclaimed book, Spying on Whales, which describes his scientific adventures chasing the past, present and future of whales all over the world.
Congratulations, Dr. Nick Pyenson!
Dr. Nick Pyenson | Smithsonian
Dr. Nick Pyenson | National Museum Natural History
Celebratory Fund-raising Dinner:
At the Powerhouse
Beloit College
810 Pleasant St.
Beloit WI
A celebratory reception and dinner honoring John Hawks will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.
6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner
A celebratory reception and dinner honoring John Hawks will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.
6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner
Tickets:
- Individual tickets — $90 members, $100 nonmembers
- Table of eight — $720 members, $800 nonmembers
- Student Table of eight — $720
(Includes you, your guest, a chaperone, five students)
Meal Choices:
Served with an assorted roll basket, spring vegetables, salad, dessert selection, coffee and tea service.
- Parmesan marinated and crusted chicken, creamy stone ground grits with grilled citrus asparagus
- Grilled salmon and herbed couscous with wilted arugula, fresh peas and pickled onions, charred patty pan squash
- Braised beef cheek with hearty root vegetables, chef mushroom medley, merlot braised pearl onion with shaved parsnip augratin potatoes
- Alfredo gnocchi with squash and Parmesan Alfredo sauce, shaved Swiss chard, and fennel roasted rutabaga
Take advantage of membership pricing and benefits.
Join or renew first.
Questions:
Danika Keeton
danica@roychapmanandrewssociety.org
Print & Mail Option
– Reservations and payment MUST be received by April 14th, ABSOLUTE.
– Check and mail info on the PDF.
Detail To Be Announced
Celebratory Fund-raising Dinner
A celebratory reception and dinner honoring Nick Pyenson will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.
6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner
Celebratory Fund-raising Dinner:
At the Powerhouse
Beloit College
810 Pleasant St.
Beloit WI
A celebratory reception and dinner honoring John Hawks will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.
6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner
Tickets:
- Individual tickets — $90 members, $100 nonmembers
- Table of eight — $720 members, $800 nonmembers
- Student Table of eight — $720
(Includes you, your guest, a chaperone, five students)
Meal Choices:
Served with an assorted roll basket, spring vegetables, salad, dessert selection, coffee and tea service.
- Parmesan marinated and crusted chicken, creamy stone ground grits with grilled citrus asparagus
- Grilled salmon and herbed couscous with wilted arugula, fresh peas and pickled onions, charred patty pan squash
- Braised beef cheek with hearty root vegetables, chef mushroom medley, merlot braised pearl onion with shaved parsnip augratin potatoes
- Alfredo gnocchi with squash and Parmesan Alfredo sauce, shaved Swiss chard, and fennel roasted rutabaga
Take advantage of membership pricing and benefits.
Join or renew first.
Questions:
Danika Keeton
danica@roychapmanandrewssociety.org
Print & Mail Option
– Reservations and payment MUST be received by April 14th, ABSOLUTE.
– Check and mail info on the PDF.
Explore More? Discover More?
RCAS will have copies of John Hawk’s books available for signing after the presentations.
Almost Human
The Astonishing Tale of Homo naledi and the Discovery That Changed Our Human Story
Embark upon a thrilling scientific adventure to discover evidence that could reframe the human family tree.
This is the unexaggerated account of a dangerous expedition into the Earth, in which bold researchers struggle through ancient caves to answer vital questions about who we were, and who we are.
Cave Of Bones
A True Story of Discovery, Adventure, and Human Origins
Embark upon a thrilling scientific adventure to discover evidence that could reframe the human family tree.
This is the unexaggerated account of a dangerous expedition into the Earth, in which bold researchers struggle through ancient caves to answer vital questions about who we were, and who we are.
Special thanks to these 2026 Roy Chapman Andrews Society
Patron Sponsors and Grantors
Larry & Karen Arft
Curt and Barb Lansbery
Jeff and Linda Perrigo
Jon Urish
Tom and Mim Warren
Special thanks to these 2026 Roy Chapman Andrews Society
Patron Sponsors and Grantors
Larry & Karen Arft
Curt and Barb Lansbery
Jeff and Linda Perrigo
Jon Urish
Tom and Mim Warren
Patron Sponsors (2025)
Sara Appelbee
Larry & Karen Arft
Robert Atwater
Ann Bausum
Carol Mankiewicz & Carl Mendelson
Lonnie Carrier
Joe & Ingrid Chamberlain
Jo & Scott Christofferson
Nancy Clark-Mather
Kelly Cluer
Annabelle Collins
Philip Currie
Gary & Vicki Dencker
Rick Dexter
John & Michele Erikson
Shannon Fie
Matt & Anne Forbeck
Jane E. Fossum Fossum
Jamison & Sherry Geiger
Charles & Prudy Harker
Tom & Marline Holmes
Steven & Mary Howland
Jim & Donna Spude
Eva Koppelhus
Curt & Barb Lansbery
Tom & Aara Lasse
Steve Lekson
Bill Green Linda Forman
Elizabeth Magnus
Bill Mathis
Frank & Jean Marie McKearn
Jeannie & Jim Rippl
Joe & Dawn Stadelman
Jerry & Connie Sveum
Gail Taylor
Gene & Connie Van Galder
Frances Vavrus
Tom & Mim Warren
Paul & Fern Wheeless
Patron Sponsors (2024)
Greg & Kimberly Carter
Sara Appelbee
Larry & Karen Arft
Robert Atwater
Ann Bausum
Carol Mankiewicz & Carl Mendelson
Lonnie Carrier
Joe & Ingrid Chamberlain
Jo & Scott Christofferson
Nancy Clark-Mather
Kelly Cluer
Annabelle Collins
Philip Currie
Gary & Vicki Dencker
Rick Dexter
John & Michele Erikson
Shannon Fie
Matt & Anne Forbeck
Jane E. Fossum Fossum
Jamison & Sherry Geiger
Charles & Prudy Harker
Tom & Marline Holmes
Steven & Mary Howland
Jim & Donna Spude
Eva Koppelhus
Curt & Barb Lansbery
Tom & Aara Lasse
Steve Lekson
Bill Green Linda Forman
Elizabeth Magnus
Bill Mathis
Frank & Jean Marie McKearn
Jeannie & Jim Rippl
Joe & Dawn Stadelman
Jerry & Connie Sveum
Gail Taylor
Gene & Connie Van Galder
Frances Vavrus
Tom & Mim Warren
Paul & Fern Wheeless
