What People Are Saying
The following is a sample of the many enthusiastic responses the Humanities Institute has received since it began offering its programs. We invite you to send your own comments.
"The Humanities Institute Fellows Seminar was one of the best experiences I have had in over thirty years at UT." — Karl Galinsky, Calloux Centennial Professor of Classics
"It would be hard to thank the UT Humanities Institute adequately for the singular privilege I enjoyed last spring term in holding an appointment there. Indeed, in retrospect, the experience looks to be even more valuable than it appeared to be at the time, and even when we were meeting, the opportunity to participate in what was, de facto, a faculty seminar of unusual fruitfulness struck me as being one of the most exciting opportunities available on campus." — William Glade, Professor of Economics
"The lunches, along with the Institute's symposia and faculty fellows programs, enrich the intellectual environment at the University in ways unmatched by any other unit." — John Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of English
"The Humanities Institute has provided sorely needed university-wide leadership around issues about linking intellectual life and service to the community." — Charlotte Canning. Professor of Theater and Dance
"It was a challenge and a pleasure to extend my role as 'teacher' to an arena beyond the classroom, and it's also clear that programs like the Mayor's Book Club do a great deal to build a positive relationship between the university and the wider community." — Julia Mickenerg, Assistant Professor of American Studies and Mayor's Book Club discussion leader
"Your faculty always does an excellent job as moderators for the public discussions. Their enthusiasm shows their commitment to promoting the humanities not only at UT, but throughout the city. . . . Please know that I am an avid supporter of the UT Humanities Institute." — Will Wynn, Mayor of Austin
"UT's new Community Sabbatical Program is a great opportunity for nonprofit professionals to take time to reflect and return to their organizations with new insight into the programs they develop and manage." — Deborah Edward, Executive Director, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success
For me, being awarded a Community Sabbatical grant meant so much more than simply being awarded money. . . . I was awarded professional validation for what I'm offering to the community as an artist and educator." — Rachel McInturff, Director of Music Technology, Armstrong Community Music School
"The Humanities Institute's Research Associate Program has provided me with access to electronic databases and other research tools that have enabled me to continue scholarly writing despite the fact that I am not employed by a university." — Chris Strickling, Director, Actual Lives Performance Project
"I never imagined how once I submitted my story to Writing Austin's Lives my life would be so transformed." —Gina Schrader, Writing Austin's Lives contributor
"I think this book is one of the best things in my life." —Carlos Parada, Writing Austin's Lives contributor
"It has been thrilling to read narratives crafted by residents scattered across the city's zip codes, reflecting generational, racial, economic, and cultural diversity. It is equally thrilling to understand that these individuals crafted and deposited their narratives with the Humanities Institute as an expression of faith in the meaningfulness of their lives, in their ability to make history through writing, and in the University of Texas as a repository and safeguard of their memories and ideas." — Joanna Brooks, Associate Professor of English and Writing Austin's Lives contest judge
"In the Georgetown Independent School District the word is out. Texas Teachers as Scholars is awesome professional development." — Janet Stewart, former Curriculum Director, Georgetown ISD
"Texas Teachers as Scholars recognizes the whole person. I have something to learn and something to share. And I can take any of it back to the classroom." — Patricia Cox, Lockhart ISD
"The highlight was completely feeling like a student – learning, asking questions of a competent expert, and taking away new information. As a teacher, I am reminded of what makes being a student so fulfilling." — Lisa Kelso, Pflugerville ISD
"This is the best professional development program I have ever experienced in 12 years of teaching." — Marvin Adcock, Manor ISD
"The success of Austin Lyric Opera's production of Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking was due in great part to the role the Humanities Institute played in organizing a five-part symposium, "Act, Word, Screen, Opera: The Journey of Dead Man Walking," that included a series of panel discussions about this powerful work. The opera world took notice of our educational outreach for this new American opera and we have become a 'model' of how to prime audiences for the work." — Molly Browning, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Austin Lyric Opera
"I think this was a very good exhibit. It taught me a lot more about what all the immigrants go through. I think if more people knew about this then names like "wetback" and "gringo" might stop because each side would gain respect for the other." — Jacque Marlin, Johnston High School student and viewer of HI-sponsored photo and story exhibition "Building Austin's Community: Immigrant Lives"
"The Humanities Institute has very effectively counteracted the compartmentalization and specialization of the contemporary research university. . . . I have not seen a more ambitious or successful new initiative in my ten years at UT." — Pauline Strong, Associate Professor of Anthropology