|
|
|
|
Choosing Civility and Grace
"We have a choice about how we behave, and that means we have the choice to opt for civility and grace." -D. Currie
 August was "Win with Civility Month" and it serves to remind us that civility is not just a slogan, it's a choice. Each second of our lives presents us with, theoretically at least, innumerable choices. However, given our habits, our preferences, our history, and other influences, we actually tend to choose from among a small number of alternatives and generally end up making the same choices again and again. To some degree, it's human nature to become predictable. What if we allowed our human propensity toward predictability to work for us? What if choosing civility became a such a consistent, automatic choice that as individuals and communities we were able to address and rise above our differences with grace? What if through a review of our common humanity, through the lenses of our histories, philosophies, our literature and laws, we connected with each other in more civil ways out of sheer respect, knowledge, and compassion? Civility requires thoughtful participation in everyday life. It requires a civil mindset, a good amount of self-control, and practice. Civility begins with our everyday relationships. It begins with choices in the moment when they count, day in and day out. The Utah Humanities Council will always be a voice for civility, for disagreeing without being disagreeable, and for reflecting on our common humanity both for understanding and problem-solving. We appreciate Utah and its complex, increasingly diverse, and always vibrant spirit. We love offering free, public humanities programming throughout the state and hope that Utahns will join with us in choosing to live with civility and grace!
Deena Pyle
Public Relations Manager Utah Humanities Council |
|
Utah Humanities Council Newsletter
August 2012
"How true Daddy's words were when he said: all children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands."
- Anne Frank.
|
|
|
UHC Board of Directors: Farewells and Introductions
During our annual UHC summer retreat, we joined as a board and staff to review the past year and plan for UHC's bright future. As always, the retreat was jam-packed with solid strategic work and planning to ensure that the humanities play a meaningful and accessible role in communities throughout the state.
We also recognized changes in our Board of Directors, with some members leaving after years of service, and new members joining us for the journey ahead.
Farewell and deep gratitude to the following board members who have passionately and effectively served UHC for the past several years:
 | |
Jan Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Robert Bennett (retired)
|
|
 | Don Gartman,
Vice President & Trust Officer, Western National Trust Company
|
|
 | Miki Hesleph
Consultant, Philip Crosby Associates
|
|
 |
Joanne Milner, Education Director for Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker
|
|
 | |
Jack Newell,
Professor Emeritus, University of Utah
|
|
 | Steve Olsen
Senior Curator, LDS Church History Library
|
|
 | Mike Benson
President, Southern Utah University
|
|
And, a heartfelt welcome to our new board members, all of whom bring essential experience and insight as UHC moves forward!
 |
Henry Wurts, Financial Economist, Zions Bancorp
|
|
 |
Jo seph Horton,
Adjunct Professor of Management University of Utah |
|
 | |
Archie Archuleta,
Community Activist
|
|
 | |
Peter Kraus,
Associate Librarian, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
|
|
 | |
Sylvia Torti,
Dean, Honors College, University of Utah
|
|
|
Essential Education: Last Call for Venture Enrollment  | |
Photo courtesy of Jean Cheney
|
We are still accepting applications at all three of our locations for this free, accredited college humanities course, taught by college faculty, in Salt Lake City, Ogden, or Cedar City. The Venture Course in the Humanities is an opportunity to study college humanities with other adults interested in expanding their worlds. We are grateful for our partners in offering Venture: Weber State University, Westminster College, and Southern
Utah University.
The Venture Course in the Humanities is accepting applications now from anyone 18 or over, living on a low income, with a desire to learn more about their world and themselves. Study art history, American history, literature, philosophy, and critical writing and thinking with others eager to expand their minds. A high school diploma is not required for admission. For more information, call Jean Cheney at 801.359.9670.
|
Literature Landscape: 15 Authors You Won't Want to Miss!  This year's Utah Humanities Book Festival will be a milestone celebrating 15 years of Utah's signature literary event. Keep an eye on the book festival portion of our website for updates, but for now, here's a list of 15 confirmed authors you won't want to miss! - Charlaine Harris, Sookie Stackhouse Series, inspiration of the the HBO series True Blood - Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time
- Ana Castillo, The Guardians- Taylor Mali, Slam Poet Extraordinaire - Lance Larsen, Utah's Poet Laureate - Young Adult authors: Brodi Ashton, Dan Krokos, Lisa Mangum, Shannon Hale - Children's Authors: Francisco Alarcon, Matthew Kirby, George Ancona, Jan Thomas, Jessica Day George - David Quammen, lauded science and nature writer
|
Museum Interpretation Initiative: Tour of Particpants  | DUP Museum in Loa, Utah.
Photo courtesy of Megan van Frank |
Now that the award-winning MII workshops have concluded and participants have had time to work on their exhibits and projects, we are touring the museums and are thrilled with their work. Check our Facebook page for updates on the site visits and to see photos of the terrific work. Completed museum projects span the state, ranging from Logan Canyon and Manila to Bluff and Santa Clara, documenting important aspects of Utah's history. Since its inception in 2010, the Museum Interpretation Initiative has helped 50 small museums in Utah create more engaging exhibits, bringing important aspects of Utah history to life. Visit the Museum Interpretation Initiative portion of our website to learn more about the program and to see how Utah's museums are telling their community stories.
|
|
Make A Gift, Make a Difference: Development Update
Challenge Grant: We are thrilled to announce that we have met the match generously offered to us by Bob Harris! Our new customized database will be installed next month, and we will then be in a position to better synthesize and coordinate our statewide work. Thank you to Bob and the many donors who chose to designate their gifts toward supporting our "Central Engine!" Board Giving: The Utah Humanities Council has an amazing governing board of twenty dedicated individuals who not only give their time to us, but also give cash donations - with 100% participation! We are so proud to report this to you, as it makes our organization stronger and proves our board's commitment to promoting the humanities in Utah. Welcome New Donors: The following have made their first donation to UHC. We are thrilled  that you would become a part of those who support us, and hope to attract your gifts into the future. - Sylvia D. Torti, UHC Board member - Sorenson Legacy Foundation, in support of our Venture Course in the Humanities
|
|
About Us
Our Mission:
The Utah Humanities Council enriches our cultural, intellectual, and civic life by providing
opportunities for all Utahns to explore life's most engaging questions and the
wonders of the human experience.
202 West 300 North
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
|
|
|
|
|
|
