Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Congratulations, Sonia! 🎉 We are proud to share that the Museum’s President and CEO, Sonia Winner, has been recognized with the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Neighborhood Leadership Award by University Circle Inc. This award “honors a person, family, or organization that has made significant contributions to University Circle and the Greater University Circle Neighborhoods.” It further highlights the recipient’s impact on life in and around the Circle, and their efforts to increase accessibility, collaboration, and enjoyment. To learn more, visit the Museum’s online press room: https://lnkd.in/eE953y-i

Research Spotlight! 🔦 We’re proud to share that the Museum has been awarded a $307K collaborative grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).   This significant grant will support human origins research aimed at understanding the significance of tool technology in the human lineage. Dr. Emma Finestone, the Museum’s Associate Curator and Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins, and Dr. Thomas Plummer from the City University of New York Queens College are leading the grant-funded research. The multidisciplinary project aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of early hominin behavior at the dawn of stone tool technology—and further advances the Museum’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and sharing scientific knowledge worldwide.   This grant also represents the importance of continued investment in human origins research! Earlier this year, the Museum received a significant gift from Robert “Bob” and Linnet Fritz that created the Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins, and held a special chairing ceremony for Dr. Finestone in June—the first the Museum has held in more than 20 years.    ➡️ Read more in the Museum’s online press room: https://lnkd.in/eZ34kwSb

🎉 The Museum is proud to announce the appointment of Susan Donlan as the newest Chair of its Board of Directors! 🎉 Donlan steps into this role after serving more than four years on the Museum’s Board and acting as its Vice Chair since 2023. She succeeds Sally Zlotnick Sears, who joined the board in 2014 and served as Chair since September 2021. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications and a strong commitment to the Cleveland community, Donlan brings a wealth of expertise at a pivotal time in the Museum’s history—the Grand Opening of a $150 million transformation this December. For more information, visit the Museum’s digital press room: https://lnkd.in/eJ8f6TtF

🚨 NOW HIRING: Freelance Social Media Manager 🚨 The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is seeking an innovative and self-motivated Social Media Manager to develop and oversee the Museum’s social media strategy! Interested? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eebrvQ8z

We enjoyed a slam DUNK tour of the Museum with Congresswoman Shontel Brown this week! We were honored to discuss the vision behind the Museum's transformation project and show off our stunning new Visitor Hall. The Congresswoman also made stops in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center and Woods Garden Presented by Keybank, and Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC to help us inspire the next generation of scientists.

Last week, the Museum welcomed U.S. Representative Max Miller for a tour of the new Visitor Hall. We look forward to another visit after our Grand Opening in December! 🦕

Join us in congratulating Museum President & CEO, Sonia Winner, for her selection to Cleveland Leadership Center's Class of 2025! Sonia will be joining an impressive group of leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to Cleveland. We can't wait to see all they accomplish during this immersive experience. Congratulations, Sonia!

It's official! 🎉 This month, the Museum hosted a special chairing ceremony—its first in 21 years—recognizing Associate Curator Dr. Emma Finestone as the Museum's inaugural Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins. In addition to providing an important source of funding, an endowed chair serves as an acknowledgment of Dr. Finestone’s commitment to her field, the community, and the advancement of knowledge. Her research uses archaeological fieldwork to investigate adaptive shifts in the human lineage that relate to the early manufacture and use of stone tools. Congratulations, Dr. Finestone! This generous gift from Robert “Bob” and Linnet Fritz not only supports this endowed position, but the Museum's transformation campaign, and our iconic exhibit of Lucy. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/evH5nkBc

From education and research to the preservation of Ohio natural areas, if you ❤️ all aspects of the Museum, consider making a donation to the Annual Fund! This fiscal year, we have: 🖍 Engaged 30,297 students through in-person and virtual experiences 🦖 Engaged 99,290 visitors through public outreach and Museum trips The Museum's current fiscal year comes to an end this Sunday, June 30, and donations of any amount make a difference in our mission. Learn more and make your donation online at give.cmnh.org.

A heartfelt congratulations to Museum astronomer, Destiny Thomas! Destiny was recently named one of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter's She Leads 100 Honorees for 2024. This award celebrates outstanding Black women innovators and their significant contributions that inspire the next generation of leaders—something that is a daily occurrence for Destiny. As an educator on the Museum’s Astronomy Team, Destiny has served more than 4,000 individuals through school programs, public-facing presentations, Museum tours, seasonal camps and community events. She earned her B.A. in physics and astronomy with a minor concentration in philosophy from Emory University. Last year, she was featured as one of Crain’s 20 in their 20’s, and can now add NC100BW’s 2024 Education-STEAM “She Leads” award to her list of well-deserved accolades. Congratulations, Destiny!