By Liberty Rister

When students arrive at Ball State, they bring curiosity, ambition, and, sometimes, a quiet fear about whether they are prepared for the challenge of the path they dream about. For one, Lucien Kaufman of the College of Sciences and Humanities, that fear was very real. Archaeology felt like a distant, almost unreachable field. Science felt intimidating. Calculus felt like a deal‑breaker.

But one unexpected class changed everything.

A Chance Enrollment That Changed a Life

During Kaufman’s first year, he enrolled in an astronomy course to fulfill a science requirement. The math was overwhelming, the pace was intense, and the fear of not being “cut out” for science crept in quickly. So he dropped the class and enrolled, almost randomly, in ANTH 103 with Dr. Mark Hill.

That moment became the turning point.

“Dr. Hill started talking about Cahokia, and I was immediately hooked,” he shared. “I learned about the insane history of America pre‑contact, and I couldn’t believe how much I didn’t know.”

What began as a schedule adjustment became a spark. And suddenly, the College of Sciences and Humanities felt less like an academic hurdle and more like a gateway.

Professors Who Saw Potential Before It Was Fully Formed

Kaufman credits his professors, Dr. Murray, Dr. Erickson, Dr. Phillips, Dr. Groover, and Dr. Freiberger, with reshaping his confidence and his future.

“My professors were all amazing,” he said. “I went into school thinking I wasn’t smart enough to pursue a career in the sciences. They proved me wrong.”

These faculty members didn’t just teach archaeology; they modeled curiosity, rigor, and compassion. They challenged students to think critically, to ask better questions, and to see the past not as distant history but as a living story that shapes the present.

Courses in historic archaeology, osteology, forensic anthropology, and myth and first foods became foundational. In the end, they weren’t just classes, but rather tools Kaufman now uses every single day.

A Post‑Graduation Journey Built on Persistence

Kaufman’s path after graduation wasn’t smooth or linear. In fact, it was defined by rejection, resilience, and a willingness to keep going even when every door seemed to close.

“My entire senior year, I spent around 12 hours a week applying to grad schools and jobs,” he said. “I wasn’t accepted to a single grad program and was rejected from over 250 jobs.”

It’s the kind of story many students fear, but it’s also the kind of story that shows what persistence really looks like.

Two months before they were set to move to Oregon for a temporary summer job as a ceramic instructor, they finally received an offer from the Great Basin Institute. It wasn’t Plan A. Or Plan B. Or even Plan C.

“Long story short, plans A through C didn’t work out,” they laughed. “But plan like…F did!”

His journey is real, and his success is a testament to grit, a quality the College of Sciences and Humanities cultivates through hands‑on learning, faculty mentorship, and opportunities that push students to grow.

Life as an Archaeologist

Today, Kaufman works as an archaeologist in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where the landscapes are rugged, the history is layered, and the work is both physically demanding and intellectually rich.

During the field season, his days are filled with hiking long distances, battling bug bites, completing detailed site forms, struggling (and succeeding) with ArcGIS, and documenting artifacts and features. Outside the field, his work shifts to cataloging artifacts, meeting with agencies like the Forest Service and Fish & Wildlife, collaborating with tribal partners, tracing historic lives through material culture.

“I work with a lot of historic glass and tins from the western railroad expansion,” he explained. “It helps trace the lives of the immigrants who built it.”

He also frequently works with human and animal remains, making his Ball State training in Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology essential.

And when working with tribal partners, the lessons from Dr. Murray about myth, first foods, and cultural significance have become vital.

“I use things my professors taught me every day,” he said. “They made me grow as an archaeologist and cemented my love for what I do.”

Advice for Future Archaeologists

For students dreaming of archaeology or other fieldwork‑based careers, Kaufman offers clear, practical advice:

“Start applying for jobs now and get as much experience under your belt as possible.”

Experience can take many forms:

• Field schools (often required for archaeology jobs)
• Archive work
• Teacher‑scholar projects
• Lab opportunities with professors
• Volunteer positions in research or collections

The message is simple: don’t wait. Build your skills early. Say yes to opportunities. And trust that even if Plan A doesn’t work out, another path will.

Real‑World Impact

Kaufman’s story is more than a personal journey in the making. It’s a reflection of what the College of Sciences and Humanities does best. It transforms uncertainty into confidence. It turns curiosity into expertise. It prepares students not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers that connect science, culture, and community.

Through rigorous coursework, supportive faculty, and opportunities for hands‑on learning, the college equips students with the skills they need to thrive, even when the path forward is unpredictable.

From a nervous first‑year student unsure about science to a professional archaeologist uncovering history in the Great Basin, Kaufman’s journey is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and resilience.

And sometimes, all it takes is one class, one professor, or one unexpected moment to change everything.