Networking with State Humanities Councils

Great Books staff member Donald Whitfield, director of community and national programs, was honored to represent us at the annual conference of the Federation of State Humanities Councils in St. Louis, Missouri, November  5–7. The conference brought together approximately 300 staff and board members of the country’s 56 councils to learn from each other about their wide range of public programming in the humanities and to build networks of colleagues who can share information and ideas. Don was thrilled that the two breakout sessions focusing on programs for veterans, including our Talking Service initiative, were well-attended, and he was excited to hear William Adams, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, emphasize his organization’s commitment to continuing to support these programs in his plenary address. “Talking Service programs are thriving in 12 states,” said Don, “and we’re grateful for the support of those states’ humanities councils. It was encouraging to hear Dr. Adams speak about the importance of programs like Talking Service, and we look forward to collaborating with additional state humanities councils to engage even more veterans.”