#ThrowbackThursday: The True Dr. J, Dr. Don Janzen

July 6, 2017

2–3 minutes

*Post written by James Wethington, library assistant of the University Archives and Special Collections.

Don Janzen organizing materials from the Shiloh Family and Trust collection, 2017. Photograph Credit: Deanna Engler

Over time, boys become men and so does their legend. One man that has exemplify that since I working here is Don Janzen. Over the past several years, Don, alongside Jennifer Greene, the archives and reference librarian, have been piecing together the Shiloh Church and Trust collection. I can truly say after getting to know him, Don is remarkable, gentleman, and trusted colleague.

Don Janzen is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He attended the University of Louisville and graduated with his B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics. After serving as a physicist, Janzen decided to leave the field of physics and go to the University of Michigan to receive his Ph.D. in anthropology, specializing archaeology. Janzen taught at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, and Centre College, in Danville, Kentucky. He became “… the first archaeologist to excavate and publish on Shaker archaeology” (Janzen, 2008).

Don Janzen receives the 2011 project award for the outstanding collection of communal site photographs he developed for the Center for Communal Studies at the University of Southern Indiana, 2011. Source: Communal Studies Association Facebook Page. — Don Janzen receives the 2011 Gina Walker Outstanding Project Award, 2011. Credit: Communal Studies Association

Don has been actively involved as a member with the Communal Studies Association and on the Board of Advisors with the Center for Communal Studies at the University of Southern Indiana. In 2011, Janzen won the Donald E. Pitzer Distinguished Service Award (Communal Studies Association, 2017a) and won the Gina Walker Outstanding Project Award for his photograph collection here at the University Archives and Special Collection from the Communal Studies Association (Communal Studies Association, 2017b).

Janzen has published a few books over various topics, particularly on archaeology. At the University Archives and Special Collections, we house three of his books, his online digital photograph collection, and his rap song about the Harmonists.

Don Janzen standing at the Shaker gatepost in the snow in Cuyahoga County, OH, January 30, 1994. Source: Donald E. Janzen Collection (CS 662, 015sc-0012)

References

Communal Studies Association (2017). Past recipients of Donald E. Pitzer distinguished service award. Retrieved from http://www.communalstudies.org/awards/donald-e-pitzer-distinguished-service-award/past-award-recipients

Communal Studies Association (2017). Past recipients of the Gina Walker outstanding project award. Retrieved from http://www.communalstudies.org/awards/gina-walker-outstanding-project-award/past-award-recipients

Janzen, D. E. (2008). Unearthing the past: The archaeology of the falls of the Ohio River region. Louisville, KY: Butler Books.

3 responses to “#ThrowbackThursday: The True Dr. J, Dr. Don Janzen”

Jeffrey Briggs

February 23, 2022 at 2:26 pm

I was part of the University of Michigan archeological crew to excavate the Naiomikong Point site under Don in 1967. I’m doing my own archeology in Ithaca NY and need his input and advice. Please ask him to contact me at jeffrey900@rocketmail.com or give me his contact info. Thanks very much.

Reply
1. David L. Rice Library
  
  March 28, 2022 at 7:45 am
  
  Sorry I didn’t se this comment. I will send your contact information to Dr. janzen
  
  Reply
  1. Jeffrey Briggs
    
    March 28, 2022 at 8:14 am
    
    Thanks very much, but that won’t be necessary. I’ve already contacted him by other means.