NEH Awards Grants to Enrich the Humanities at Seven Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving, and Tribal Colleges and Universities

Seven Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving, and Tribal Colleges and Universities have received institutional grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). These grants increase the institutions' capacity to conduct research and strengthen undergraduate learning in the humanities.

"America is a stronger, more educated, and optimistic country because of these institutions," said NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. "From research on the Harlem Renaissance to digital catalogs of American Indian history, students are experiencing the best of the humanities through scholarly research, teaching, and learning. NEH is proud to remain a strong supporter of these important institutions."

Grants up to $25,000 support projects developed by each institution to enhance its educational capabilities in the humanities. For example, projects can support teams of faculty in professional development activities focused on humanities topics and related to curriculum development efforts. Grants also may be used for visiting humanities consultants, library materials, or other equipment or supplies. Institutions may conduct projects in cooperation with other educational or cultural institutions in the interest of building long-term partnerships in the humanities.

The following Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving, and Tribal Colleges and Universities received institutional grants from NEH:

• Valencia Community College, Osceola Campus, Kissimmee, Fla., received $24,986 to create a new African-American Studies course in the humanities curriculum of Valencia Community College, Osceola Campus.
• Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga., received $25,000 for "The Call of the Trombones," a project with public lectures, performances, and workshops that incorporate current research on James Weldon Johnson, one of the best-known figures of the Harlem Renaissance, and lay the groundwork for a new course on his life and works.
• Fort Belknap College, Harlem, Mont., received $25,000 to evaluate, catalogue, and preserve the college's archival collections, while improving their accessibility for classroom instruction, student and faculty research, and community enrichment.
• Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C., received $25,000 for "Life of the Mind: African-American Oratory," a seminar in the history of African-American oratory for faculty from West Charlotte High School, Central Piedmont Community College, and Johnson C. Smith University.
• Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Va., received $24,970 for "The Brown Decision in Norfolk, Va.: Local Leaders, National Politics, and Global Significance," a year-long local history program related to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision and the response of the Norfolk community.
• Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Wash., received $24,926 for "Race and Ethnicity in the Mid-Columbia Basin," a project to develop a course on four of the ethnic traditions represented in the Columbia Basin-African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American-through reading, research, and consultation with four scholars.
• College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, Wis., received $24,996 to inventory Menominee materials in the Newberry Library in Chicago, create print-based and digital catalogs of the collection, and participate in activities sponsored by the library's D'Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History.