History
The
Humanities Center was established in 1991 with the
aid of
an award from the National Endowment for the Humanities
(NEH). The NEH award took the form of a challenge
grant that was subsequently matched by funds from other
sources--public, corporate, and private--to create the
three endowments that support research activities in
the field
of the humanities. These donations were contributed
by local and state sponsors, making the Center a possibility.
The income from these awards and the matching funds that
were raised support the Visiting Eminent Scholar Program,
Faculty Research Grants, Library Enhancement Grants, Public
Program Grants, and Faculty Travel Grants.
In addition, the Humanities Center has supported the university
by obtaining external funds through contracts and awards
that promote humanities-related projects. Organizations
such as The Alabama Humanities Foundation, The Alabama State
Department of Education, The Federal Department of Education
and the National Endowment for the Humanities are examples
of non-profit organizations we have worked with. We have
also been the recipient of support from the business community
and individuals as well.
Since the Humanities Center was founded, hundreds of grants
have been awarded. These grants have provided thousands
of new titles to the Salmon Library's collection, financed
research enabling faculty to publish books and articles,
and sponsored hundreds of trips to conferences and forums
where faculty members have presented their work.
Besides sponsoring the research and publication of scholarly
work, the Humanities Center has collaborated with a number
of businesses and non-profit organizations in sponsored
public events. Through symposia, lectures, forums and workshops,
we give the public an opportunity to learn and become engaged
in discussions with our scholars and scholars from all over
the world.
The endowments provided through the NEH challenge grant
and the donations of Alabama citizens provided the Humanities
Center with the stability for future growth. We are most
grateful for their support and for the support we continue
to receive from the business community and the private sector.
