Loyola University Maryland Center for the Humanities records

The Center for the Humanities was established in 1983 through the generosity of many donors and of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It exists to provide strength and vision to the humanities at Loyola University Maryland. To realize its goals, the Center sponsors a wide range of programs, some of which are ongoing, others representing one-time grants. Programs include the Humanities Symposium, lectures, lectures series (including the annual Cardin Lecture), and fine arts performances; other forms of research support for both faculty and students; and various forms of support for teaching in the humanities.

The Center is led by a director who is a member of the faculty and expected to serve a three year term with the possibility for reappointment. The director reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The director since 2015 is Mark Osteen, Professor of English. The Center's activities are guided by a steering committee, chaired by the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and comprising the Center's director, the chairs of the humanities departments, the assistant to the academic vice president, the director of the Honors Program, and up to two other directors of major projects funded by the Center. The steering committee meets monthly during the academic year to review applications, programs, policies and other Center business. It is responsible for overseeing the Center's annual operating budget of over $300,000 as well as its endowment which, enhanced through a second NEH challenge grant completed in 1998, now totals $10 million. Subcommittees may be formed, who’s chair would report to the steering committee.

Although the Center exists to further education in the humanities, many of the programs are open to faculty, staff, and administrators throughout the University. Any faculty member or administrator may apply for a one-time grant. Only a handful of programs are restricted to humanities faculty. These include the program for enhancing classroom teaching effectiveness and the Nachbahr Award. Likewise, faculty development grants for team-taught courses require that one of the team members be from the humanities. The Center is especially interested in sponsoring programs that encourage student participation in research and reflection on topics in the humanities.

Historical information adapted from https://www.loyola.edu/department/center-humanities (accessed February 2020).