Media Advisory – Internationally recognized explorer back at alma mater to tell his story

September 27, 2018

Media Advisory – Internationally recognized explorer back at alma mater to tell his story

Media are invited to attend a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Oct 2. featuring Steve Elkins. The press conference will be held at Saluki Stadium, 3^rd floor press box, suite 301. There may also be opportunities for photos and interviews before Elkins’ presentation at 6 p.m. at the Student Center Ballrooms.

After discovering a legendary lost city in the Honduran jungle, Elkins is coming back to SIU on Oct. 2 to share his story. Using cutting-edge Lidar technology, Elkins and his team uncovered Ciudad Blanca, the White City, gaining international attention for both the discovery and his unique technique.

Elkins was selected as one of the Foreign Policy Magazine’s Global Thinkers of the Year for his use of the technology, and was honored for his contributions to Honduras by Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and U.S. Ambassador James Nealon.

The story of the discovery has since been adapted into a New York Times bestseller, “The Lost City of the Monkey God,” and featured in both a television episode and an article in National Geographic. Elkins has appeared on many other media platforms such as TEDx, National Public Radio, CBS, Xinhua and BBC.

Elkins will give a presentation at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2, which is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Vanessa Sneed, director of University events and protocol, 618/453-7419 or vsneed@siu.edu.