Dr. Jeff Meldrum Presents at Utah Valley University
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on November 10th, 2011
Dr. Jeff Meldrum presentation Friday, November 11
Utah Valley University
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
Sasquatch: A lecture by Cryptozoologist Jeff Meldrum
When research on gorillas is mentioned, Jane Goodall’s name invariably comes up. When Sasquatch is discussed, it’s Dr. Meldrum’s name that starts circulating.
After graduating with a bachelor’s in zoology from Brigham Young University, Dr. Meldrum went on to earn a master’s and a doctorate in anatomical science, specializing in biological anthropology. He has since become a reputable source on foot morphing in creatures, coediting the book From Biped to Strider: The Emergence of Modern Human Walking. He has been published in six journals and coedited over a dozen publications. Dr. Meldrum currently teaches biology and anthropology at Idaho State University, where he has been on the faculty for 18 years. He has also distinguished himself as a “cryptozoologist”, one who studies animals not yet recognized by science.
“[Dr. Meldrum is the] Only man on the planet worth of the title of Cryptozoologist,” says Danny Stewart, an adjunct professor of Humanities/Philosophy at UVU and an avid follower of Dr. Meldrum. “[If] Biology was doing their job, there wouldn’t be a need for the word cryptozoology, there would just be zoology.”
Both scholars have faced ridicule in the academic world for their beliefs in creatures such as Yeti, Sasquatch, and other bipedal animals unrecognized by science. Meldrum stresses that these creatures should not be considered monsters.
“The word ‘monster’ is destroying the chance of discovery of these creatures,” says Stewart.
Myth, legend and controversy surround the questioned existence of creatures such as Bigfoot. While many believe that animals such as these exist, the lack of information available or scientists’ ability to observe them leaves many in doubt.
Dr. Meldrum will be signing books on Nov. 11, from 5-6 p.m. in LI120. He will present his research and field questions from 6-8 p.m.
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
One small correction:
Jane Goodall is famous for her research with chimpanzees – not gorillas.
Dian Fossey is famous for her research with gorillas.
“[If] Biology was doing their job, there wouldn’t be a need for the word cryptozoology, there would just be zoology.”
True indeed.
It is not on every zoologist to drop what he’s doing and prove Nessie or Bigfoot.
It is, however, on every last one of them to drop the cynical pronunciations when they haven’t reviewed the evidence.
The cryptid confirmers may be in school now, growing into their chance to change the world. If you’re not going to do the work…leave it to them and stop pooping on it.
I am attending that seminar. Who else will be there?
kryptos006: well, I won’t.
But you may have just put yourself on the hook to give us all a report!
😀
It was a great presentation overall. Essentially, if you have read his book, Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, then you can imagine what he said. He went over very similar points in basically the same order. The only thing he omitted was the chapter on dermatoglyphics. There was a man sitting next to me that was “an unbeliever” and left an enthusiast on the topic.
kryptos 006: There’s a lot more to that last sentence than that last sentence!
Although I have said that I am unaware of anyone familiar with the evidence that is skeptical of the existence of the sasquatch, I’m impressed that somebody could come in to one presentation against and leave for (or even on the fence).
DWA:
I am not going to say that he was not very accepting of the idea of sasquatch. His brother is a correspondent of mine on the matter of man-apes. The attendance of this seminar was really a ploy by the hand of his brother to convince him that saquatch does exist. When I said that he was skeptical, I assumed that the implication would be so that he was already on the fence. Now I see that I was fairly vague in my last statement and I apologize.
I wonder if Meldrum is tenured. That would give him more opportunity to dabble in whatever field of research he wants, which would explain why he can focus on BF. Eighteen years is a long time to teach at one university, if he isn’t tenured by now it throws doubts on his competency. But I’m sure he is.
Oh, he’s tenured all right. He’s one of the recognized experts in his field of study: primate locomotor adaptations. (Can’t get more relevant than that, if you’re discussing sasquatch evidence.)
A highlight of a recent flap concerning him was a PHYSICS professor, of all people, calling for his tenure on a stick for all this Bigfoot nonsense. Sure, buddy. Show me a quark.