Established in 2024, the Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities brings communities together to address complex, global questions through humanistic inquiry. At the college, the Humanities include Africana Studies; Ancient Mediterranean Studies; Asian Studies; English; Gender and Sexuality Studies; History; Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES); Latin American and Latinx Studies; Modern Languages and Literatures; Philosophy; and Religious Studies, as well as the Foundations Programs in the Humanities.
"At a time when the whole world is talking about non-human artificial intelligence and its implications, we at ѻý are committed to providing an education that promotes independent critical thinking, fosters human originality and creativity, advances knowledge of the distinctive products of human culture, and encourages civil discourse. The humanities matter at ѻý.” — Tim Huebner, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
SEARCH excursion to Black Odyssey production at (TBD)
January 23: (McCallum, 5:30pm)
February 4: , (Blount, 5:00pm)
February 6: screening of documentary (McNeill, 4:30pm)
February 7: “Brassroots Democracy” lecture by (Tuthill, 4:00pm)
February 11: screening of documentary (Blount, 6pm)
February 13: “” (Blount, 5:30pm)
February 20: , , (Spence Wilson Room, 5pm)
March 4: Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar , "What's New, and What's Old, about Today's Immigration Debate?" (Blount, 4pm)
March 18: , “Long Tensions: Trans Advocacy, Homonormativity, and the Reed Erickson Archives” (Blount, 6pm)
March 20: (6pm, Hardie Auditorium)
March 25: (Spence Wilson Room, 6pm)
March 28-29: (Buckman Hall)
March 30: , “On Freedom and Just Habits of Mind” (McNeill Concert Hall, 3pm)
March 31: , philosophy lecture (Spence Wilson Room, 5pm)
April 3: Ruffin art history lecture, (Blount, 6pm)
April 10: Springfield Music Lecture Series symposium: "Sound, Text, and Movement: Black Church Cultures in Memphis" (McNeill Concert Hall, 9am) All are welcome to attend; community guests should
April 10: Symposium (Spence Wilson Room, 3:30pm)
April 15: , “Writing the Constitutional History of Eswatini: From Concept to Completion to Challenges” (Buckman 105, 5pm)
April 24: NEH Chair , “Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future: The State of the Humanities Today” (Spence Wilson Room, 6pm)
April 25: Springfield Music Lecture Series: , "He Continues to Make A Difference: The Story of Matthew Shepard" (Blount Auditorium, 4pm) All are welcome to attend; community guests should
Email: newstoks@rhodes.edu
Office: (901) 843-3744
Email: medranog@ѻý.edu
Office: (901) 843-3874
ABOUT SPENCE WILSON: The center bears the name of respected Memphis businessman and philanthropist Spence Wilson, who has been a long-time supporter of ѻý. Wilson served on the board for more than 40 years, nine as chairman. Wilson also has been a dedicated advocate and supporter of the humanities at ѻý, and the Spence L. Wilson Distinguished Chair in Humanities was established more than a decade ago as an outgrowth of his involvement and love for the faculty and his long-term commitment to the humanities and the Memphis community. Having this center bear his name honors that commitment and highlights the humanities’ importance at ѻý and positions it to serve as a national model. In 2009, Wilson was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from the college. He and his wife, Becky, created the Spence L. Wilson Service Scholarship Program and the Spence Wilson Faculty International Travel Fund at ѻý. They are members of the Peyton Nalle ѻý Society, which recognizes the college’s most generous supporters. In addition, Wilson serves as a member of the Council of Emeriti Trustees at ѻý.
Keep in Touch
If you would like to be added to the Wilson Center email list, please fill out this form. For more information, please email WilsonCenter@rhodes.edu.