A New Era for SWAU Dinosaur Research Project
NEW CASTLE, WYO. – On June 3, 2024, Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) celebrated the grand opening of a new research facility at the Hanson Research Station in Wyoming, marking a significant milestone for the renowned Dinosaur Research Project. The event drew a large crowd, including speakers; notable attendees; major donors and the Hanson family; whose ranch hosts this groundbreaking research facility.
The need for a larger facility that could adequately support the demands of the growing project became critical in 2018 when a storm destroyed the original research settlement, which consisted of one small modular building. In the aftermath, plans for a robust rebuild took shape, with partnerships formed between SWAU, Maranatha Volunteers International and key donors.
Today, the state-of-the-art facility provides researchers with protection from the harsh environment and offers numerous amenities, including a high-capacity kitchen, an adequate number of bathrooms and showers, a garage for vehicle and fossil storage, an IT room that provides the station with high-speed Wi-Fi and GPS equipment and a visitor center with a showroom detailing the project’s history. A large meeting space serves multiple purposes, from meals and lectures to group worship sessions. This comprehensive upgrade aims to support ongoing research.
The Dinosaur Research Project, a cornerstone of SWAU’s scientific endeavors, has been active for over 26 years. Significant discoveries include Triceratops skulls and a rare Nano-tyrannosaur jawbone (there are only three known specimens worldwide). Each year, SWAU faculty, staff and students, along with enthusiastic researchers and citizen scientists from all over the world, participate in the excavation process, fostering a unique educational experience.
The ceremony featured speeches from influential figures such as property owner Carolyn Hanson; project founder Arthur Chadwick, Ph.D.; Jared Wood, Ph.D., a key developer of the Dinosaur Dig Research Project; and SWAU President Ana Patterson. Also present were representatives from Maranatha, including Kyle Fiess and Don Noble, as well as major donor Ed Zinke. The presence of architects, builders and distinguished guests added to the event’s significance.
During the ceremony, Patterson recognized the Hanson family, Maranatha’s partnership and key donors like Ed Zinke and Rusty McKee. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees enjoyed a celebratory lunch and mingled, discussing the building’s significance. David Woods, the station’s builder, led a tour of the new facilities, followed by guided visits to the bone beds, where guests learned about SWAU’s taphonomy research process.
“Not every university would put this kind of thing on its campus, and Southwestern has certainly been a strong supporter of this program,” Zinke said. “I was surprised one day when I was here walking around looking at people who were excavating bones, when there I saw the vice president for education of the Southern African division. I thought to myself, that’s exactly what this place is about—impacting the entire church, not just Southwestern. We appreciate what’s happening.”
Patterson concluded with inspiring words: “A quote came to my mind from a book familiar to many of you, Steps to Christ, which says, ‘Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and to bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing.’ I think it is incredible how in a place like this, nature can speak to us communally about God, but also individually. May this be a place where God continues to speak to each one of us.”
The Hanson Research Station is now open for visitors and welcomed over 2,000 guests this past August from the International Pathfinder Camporee. Looking ahead, the research station plans to expand its operations and enhance efficiency, seeking more Christian researchers and partners worldwide to further its mission.
By Coby Federowski
Digital Marketing Manager
