Support the CenterThe Humanities Center
at Miami University
About Us
The Humanities Center is open to any member of Miami University interested in the humanities. Events sponsored by the Humanities Center are open to the public.
Message from the Founding Director
"Miami University’s Humanities Center is an exciting new initiative that will bring together faculty and students from many programs and departments in an interdisciplinary, collaborative way."
[Read more of the Founding Director’s Message.]
John W. Altman
John W. Altman is a Miami alumnus, entrepreneur, and professor whose generosity makes possible the fellowship program and other community-wide programs in the humanities.
[Read more about John W. Altman.]
Mission
"The Miami University Humanities Center brings together faculty, students, and the public for conversation and debate about culture and human experience."
[Read our Mission Statement.]
History
The Humanities Center was initially funded through a Miami University President’s Academic Enrichment Award. Miami alumnus John W. Altman made possible the fellowship program and other community-wide programs in the humanities.
Steering Committee
Ann Elizabeth Armstrong (Theatre); cris cheek (English); Mila Ganeva (German, Russian, and East Asian Languages); Katherine M. Gillespie (English); Timothy Melley, director (English); Nicole Starosielski (Communication); Keith W. Tuma (College of Arts & Science); and Allan Winkler, founding director (History).
Dedication
The Humanities Center was formally dedicated on April 16, 2009. The keynote speaker was Stanley N. Katz of Princeton University, former President of the American Council of Learned Societies. He spoke on The Humanities in Hard Times [PDF].
[View the Dedication Ceremony poster. [PDF]]
[Read Dean Schilling’s comments at the dedication. [PDF]]
Humanities Center Dedication: Pictured from left are Miami University President David C. Hodge, College of Arts & Sciences Dean Karen Maitland Schilling, Humanities Center Director Allan M. Winkler, Keynote Speaker Stanley N. Katz (Princeton University), and Provost Jeffrey I. Herbst.