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 which represent one-time grants. Programs include lectures, lectures series, and fine arts performances; junior faculty sabbaticals and other forms of research support for both faculty and students; and various forms of support for teaching in the humanities. A comprehensive list of the Center's programs, application procedures, and guidelines is provided through this web page.  The Center is led by a director who is a member of the faculty. The Center's activities are guided by a steering committee, chaired by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and comprised of 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 for funding and to conduct 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.
While the Center exists to further education in the humanities, many of the programs are open to faculty, staff, and administrators throughout the University. Applications for one-time grants may be submitted by any faculty member or administrator. Only a handful of programs are restricted to humanities faculty. These include the Junior Faculty Sabbatical program, 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. As a Jesuit, Catholic institution, Loyola University Maryland has long emphasized a centuries-old tradition of education steeped in the humanities. However, that tradition must continually be reclaimed and renewed. The Center for the Humanities continues to look for ways to enhance and enrich its contributions to the College. Because the success of the Center depends not only on the departments in the humanities, but on the contributions that can be made throughout the College, persons and departments throughout the College are encouraged to develop and submit proposals to the steering committee which further education in the humanities at Loyola.
If you would like to receive a mailing of upcoming events sponsored by the Center for the Humanities please click here to fill out a mailing form. Please contact Patty if you have any questions about our programs. | 
