The Institute for the Humanities (IH) develops outreach opportunities through several means including the Distinguished Lecture Series, The Harp Grants, and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

The Distinguished Lecture Series, which is sponsored by the Institute for the Humanities through the support of the College of Arts & Sciences, hosts reputable scholars, writers, and artists from the state, region, nation, and world. In the spring of 2005, IH hosted two scholars from England: Ms. Leonie Frieda of London and author of Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France; and, Dr. Jeremy Black of University of Exeter and author of over fifty books including The British Seaborne Empire. Both lectures, given in the John Grisham Room, were attended by university and community people from Starkville, Columbus, West Point, and Jackson.

The Humanities and Arts Research Program (HARP), sponsored by IH through the support of the Office of Research, awards faculty grants on a competitive basis in order to support promising research projects in the Humanities and Arts. Many of these projects result in the presentation of performances, exhibitions, books, and CDs which are available to the public. Moreover, the top recipients, who carry the title HARP Senior Research Fellow, present panel discussions on topics related to the Humanities which are open to the public.

The Institute for the Humanities participates in activities sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council. Each year outstanding faculty are honored through the Humanist of the Year Award and the Humanities Teacher Award. As MSU's official representatives for the Humanities, recipients of these awards present public lectures on topics related to the Humanities and attend official functions in Jackson, MS sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council.

Last Modified May 10, 2005
College of Arts & Sciences