Welcome Letter

If you are reading this page and exploring the Humanities website, you are probably someone who relishes a good book, who enjoys the chance to consider ideas and where they come from, or who appreciates different perspectives and cultures. Maybe you have a passion for the arts or writing or journalism or history. Maybe you spend your free time writing stories and poetry, photographing wildlife, making movies on your laptop, or re-enacting epic battles. Almost certainly, you have experienced the power of expressing yourself in words, images, and gestures as well as the potential for influencing others’ feelings or actions.

Through the University’s core-curriculum and over 25 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary- studies programs, the nine Humanities Departments at Loyola offer you the chance to continue to read, write, speak, ponder, and act with passion and purpose in order to discover who you are in relationship to others of the past and present. By engaging with the Humanities, you will be prepared to contribute to the important discussions of the future—to be an informed, thoughtful, empathetic member of your profession and community. Our faculty—who are known not only for their award-winning research, writing, and artistic achievements, but for their commitment to undergraduate teaching and to service on campus and in the Baltimore community—are eager to guide you through your undergraduate education and into the exciting worlds awaiting you in the humanities.

As national surveys of business and government leaders continue to show, employers want much more than evidence of a college degree; they want critical and creative thinkers who can communicate clearly and effectively with others to help solve the complex problems of our time. That is to say, they are seeking people with the very aptitudes and abilities nurtured in Humanities classrooms.

We hope you will consider the Humanities as an academic home during your time at Loyola, whether it’s to take a course or two, declare a minor, or pursue one of our many majors. Reach out to me or my colleagues across the Humanities if you have specific questions about our programs or opportunities.

Peggy O’Neill
Professor of Writing
Associate Dean of the Humanities