March 23, 2026

 Greetings Staff and Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences, 

 

Welcome back from Spring Break with a special edition of our weekly address. Looking toward the end of this week, I invite you to join us for the Humanities Summit, taking place March 26-27, primarily in Coe Library 506 and the College of Arts and Sciences Building.

 

The humanities help us understand who we are as a people and what we value as a state. For Wyoming, this work strengthens civic life while giving students the critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning skills that prepare them to lead and adapt in any career they choose.

 

Centered on the theme “Humanities in Action,” this year’s summit brings together scholars, educators, and students to reflect on America’s 250th birthday while exploring the future of the humanities through collaboration and innovation.

 

We are pleased to welcome four keynote speakers, including Director of Digital History and More Perfect Scholar in Residence Jim Ambuske, of the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University; Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Mary Favret, of Johns Hopkins University; English and design media arts Associate Professor Danny Snelson, of the University of California-Los Angeles; and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward Larson, of Pepperdine University.

 

The finale of this two-day event will conclude with a keynote by Larson titled "Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters," on Friday at 4 p.m. in the College of A&S Auditorium. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow. Afterward, there will be a reception with refreshments in the A&S Lobby. 

 

Throughout the two days, the summit will feature panels, workshops, and a musical performance by UW Collegiate Chorale, showcasing the breadth and impact of the humanities in Wyoming and beyond.

 

Thank you to Joy Landeira, who is chairing this year's Humanities Summit, and all other individuals for their work to make this valuable event happen. 

 

To learn more about this event and see the full schedule, visit the website.

 

All sessions are free and open to the public. I hope to see you there.

 

Sincerely, 

 

J. Scott Turpen