Dr. George Bey, professor of sociology and anthropology at Millsaps College, has been recognized by The Explorers Club in their second annual recognition of the “Explorers Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World that the World Needs to Know About.”
Bey was recognized for his efforts to use archaeology as a means of sustaining biological resources and cultural heritage in the Yucatan.
“Being recognized as one of the top 50 explorers in the world for 2022 by The Explorers Club is one of the greatest honors I have received,” Bey said. “It is very satisfying to be recognized for my and Millsaps’ efforts to both carry out world class research in Maya archaeology and also develop a unique biocultural reserve. Through the Millsaps Kaxil Kiuic reserve we have developed a model where biology, culture and archaeological heritage work together to conserve the past and the present.”
Millsaps College, in coordination with the non-profit Kaxil Kiuic reserve, supports and operates a 4,500-acre tropical forest reserve in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula.
“Small schools like Millsaps College are often not recognized as places that create new knowledge and ways of changing the world,” said Bey. “I think our work in Yucatan is an example of how liberal arts schools can in fact be at the forefront of allowing undergraduate students to assist in developing new knowledge and ideas to creating change at the world level. The Explorers Club 50 award recognizes this and will help encourage these sorts of opportunities for the future.”
Bey is honored by his recognition in the Explorers Club 50, but notes the larger impact made by the other 49 recipients.
“The Explorers Club 50 is an amazing collection of humans from all over the planet. It includes scientists, artists, conservationists, documentarians, educators, even astronauts. The fact that this program allows us to both tell our stories to the world and share our knowledge and visions with each other is humbling. I am proud to have this opportunity to work with these people and work together to try and make the world a better place through our ideas on what exploration in the 21st century means.
“I cannot thank The Explorers Club enough for supporting me and my colleagues with this program and helping to give us a voice for our efforts.”