Ben Kracht, born and raised in Indiana. Attended Indiana University. Graduated in 1979 with a B.A. in History/Anthropology. Wrote an honors thesis on the effects of smallpox on Indians of the Upper Missouri Region.

Graduated from University of Nebraska in 1982 with an M.A. in Anthropology. Wrote a thesis on the effects of smallpox and warfare on the Pawnee of Nebraska.

Graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1989 with a Ph.D. in Anthropology. Wrote my dissertation, an ethnohistory of Kiowa belief systems from 1832-1989.

While in Dallas, conducted ethnographic research on urban Indians in DFW Metroplex (1982-86), served as a consultant for the Boy's Clubs of America (no girls then!), and SMU's Bilingual Education program.

Before coming to NSU in the fall of 1992, I taught at four different community colleges in Dallas, Connecticut College, and Iowa State University.