Bill Lipe (Ph.D., Yale University, 1966) is Professor Emeritus at Washington State University (WSU), where he joined the Anthropology faculty in 1976. Previously, he was Assistant Director of the Museum of Northern Arizona (1972–1976), and taught at the State University of New York at Binghamton (1964–1972), and the University of Oklahoma (1963–1964).
From 1995–1997, Bill served as President of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), the principal professional organization devoted to the archaeology of the Americas. He has over 50 years experience in Southwestern archaeology, has authored more than 60 articles and book chapters, and is author or editor of six book-length monographs. Throughout his career, Bill advocated for the responsible implementation of cultural resource practices that greatly influenced the field of scientific research and enabled descendent communities to maintain sacred spaces and celebrate cultural heritage.
Bill has earned numerous awards for outstanding contributions to Southwestern Archaeology, including: the Washington State University (WSU) College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award in 1997, the John F. Seiberling Award from the Society of Professional Archaeologists in 1998, the SAA Distinguished Service Award in 2000, the Alfred Vincent Kidder Award for Eminence in the Field from the American Anthropological Association in 2010. Most recently (2023), Bill was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus award from the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma for his contributions to local, state, national, and international levels.
From 1985 to 1993, he served part-time as Crow Canyon’s Director of Research, and was engaged in many projects, including the Sand Canyon Archaeological Project. Since 1995, Bill continues to work with the Center as a Research Associate and a dedicated member of its Board of Trustees.