English Joins Students at Gannon University to Celebrate Arts and Humanities Month
Co-Chairs Caucus to Raise Awareness
Today, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) joined by Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi, President of Gannon University, and local college students highlighted the importance of strengthening the study of arts and the humanities within higher education.
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, English actively advocates policies and programs to raise awareness of the role of history, literature, languages, philosophy, ethics, religion, government, and linguistics in Americans' lives.
"The Humanities Caucus gives us the opportunity to focus Congress on the needs of a critical part of higher education that is all too often over looked in the political arena," English said. "The programs that we support and highlight are critical to maintaining high standards in higher education and cultivating a lifetime love of learning."
"At Gannon, we are committed to offering more than 75 strong academic programs, including nearly 20 undergraduate and graduate majors in the humanities, including English, philosophy, theology, and history, to name only a few. Gannon's holistic approach to education is enhanced by its strong liberal studies curriculum. At Gannon, students are not only taught how to become experts in their chosen professions, but also critical thinkers, and strong speakers, writers, and leaders, which is why continued support for higher education humanities programs is very important," said President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.
Since 1993, Americans have been celebrating Arts & Humanities Month in October. This month provides a unique opportunity for groups and individuals to educate, participate and celebrate the humanities in their communities. From lectures and film screenings to exhibitions and historic site tours, communities across the nation recognize Arts & Humanities Month with a variety of special activities. During today's event at Gannon University, English noted that the humanities shape our civic, cultural and intellectual lives.
"Studying our history, culture and heritage can help provide a framework to guide our decisions as we confront challenging issues facing us now and into the future," English said.
An active member of the Congressional Humanities Caucus since it was founded in 2004, English was tapped to serve as the co-chair of the Caucus for the 110th Congress. The Caucus provides a forum for Members and their staffs to work more closely with the humanities community in order to promote greater awareness and understanding of the humanities programs that enrich American intellectual and cultural life. As Co-chair, English works with his colleagues to raise the profile of humanities and promote federal humanities programs.
The Caucus has played a prominent role in supporting federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). In addition, the Caucus has also showcased lesser known but equally important federal humanities programs such as the National Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
NHPRC, a small federal program within the National Archives, preserves and publishes our nations' documentary sources and as been the primary source of funding for the publication of the papers of our founding fathers and other significant figures in American history. Although NHPRC funding has been targeted for elimination in the president's budget for the last three cycles, the Caucus has successfully maintained federal support for the program and its critical work.
"Our efforts on behalf of humanities are critical to the promotion of culture and higher learning in academia," said English. "I commend Gannon University for its leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Garibaldi and other educational experts to see what more we can do, on all levels, to ensure the arts and humanities continue to play a critical role in higher education."