Featured speaker
Donald C. Johanson PhD
Lakeside at the Phoenix Zoo
Friday evening, April 5, 2024
5:00 pm “Lemur Lane” Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
7:00 pm Lakeside Dinner and Program
Join the Institute of Human Origins (IHO) Research Council and IHO Director and Professor Yohannes Haile-Selassie for a lively and engaging evening with world-renowned paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of IHO’s “founding fossil,” Lucy! Johanson is an Honorary Member of The Explorer’s Club, speaker and guide for the National Geographic Society, and ASU Virginia M. Ullman Chair in Human Origins, as well as Founding Director of the institute.
In November 1974, a young scientist—Donald Johanson—was on his third expedition to the deserts of Hadar, Ethiopia, with an international team of scientists. Johanson and graduate student Tom Gray were heading back to their Land Rover when Johanson spotted a bone sticking out of the side of a hill—the first fossil bone that would become one of the most famous human ancestors—Lucy! Though controversial, Johanson would name it as a new species—Australopithecus afarensis.
Johanson has spent his entire career as a public voice for the science of human evolution and an advocate for human’s responsibility to connect with the natural world—speaking with public and scientific audiences around the globe.
Don’t miss this chance to meet Dr. Johanson as he recounts the details of that eventful day, the importance of thediscovery, and how connecting the human past is important to our global future.
Tickets start at $300 per person*—Purchase table sponsorships or tickets online here—
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/763602223807?aff=oddtdtcreator
This event benefits the ASU Institute of Human Origins’ public outreach programs. Become an event sponsor and be seated with scientists and internationally known experts in anthropology from ASU and around the world.
Sponsorship Levels*
| Level | Funding Level | Benefits |
| Single Ticket | $300* FMV=$195 person |
One ticket for dinner |
| Friend of IHO | $1,000* FMV=$390 |
Sponsor logo or name on dinner event materials/program and at dinner Two tickets and reserved seating at dinner |
| Explorer | $3,000* FMV=$1,560 |
Sponsor logo or name on dinner event materials/program and at the dinner Table of 10, with 8 seats for sponsor, one seat for researcher/symposium speaker, one seat for a graduate student |
| Human Origins | $5,000* FMV=$1,960 |
Sponsor logo or name on event materials/program and at the dinner Table of 10, with 8 seats for sponsor, one seat for researcher/symposium speaker, one seat for a graduate student Four tickets and reserved seating at Johanson public lecture in Phoenix and access to pre-event reception |
| Research Council |
$10,000* |
Sponsor logo or name on event materials/program and at the dinner Forward location and table of 10, with 8 seats for sponsor, one seat for researcher/ symposium speaker, one seat for a graduate student Private tour of IHO facility and dinner with IHO Director, Founding Director or IHO scientist of sponsor’s choice Eight tickets and reserved seating at Johanson public lecture in Phoenix and access to pre-event reception |
| Friend of Lucy | $25,000* FMV=$2,810 |
Sponsor logo or name on event materials/program and at the dinner Premier location table at Gala Dinner and seating with Donald Johanson Table of 10, with 8 seats for sponsor, one seat for Johanson, one seat for a graduate student Signed, limited edition photographic book from Donald Johanson’s personal wildlife photography One-year IHO Research Council Membership Private tour of IHO facility and dinner with IHO Director, Founding Director, or IHO scientist of sponsor’s choice Ten tickets and reserved seating at Johanson public lecture in Phoenix and access to pre-event reception (ticket price = $40, plus $60 FMV for reception = $100 FMV) |
*The cost of your ticket may be considered a charitable contribution. All funds will be deposited with the ASU Foundation for a New American University, a separate nonprofit organization that exists to support ASU. Due to the value of benefits provided, only payments in excess of fair market value (FMV) may be considered a charitable contribution. The FMV is based on your sponsorship level—see the above for your level of sponsorship and FMV. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of charitable contributions.
Interested? Contact Julie Russ at jruss@asu.edu to secure your sponsorship today!
Download a pdf of the Sponsorship Levels here