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Lindsey Wilson University Community to Celebrate the Arts and Humanities in October

Month spotlights the vital role the arts and humanities play in everyday life.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (09/24/2025) — It's a good thing that October has 31 days, because Lindsey Wilson University needs all of them to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month this year.

Established by the nonprofit and nonpartisan Americans for the Arts, National Arts and Humanities Month annually recognizes the importance of culture in American life with a focus on making the arts and humanities accessible, while raising awareness and support for the arts and humanities at all levels.

At Lindsey Wilson, the arts and humanities serve as the university's backbone, according to Dean of Arts & Humanities Allison Smith.

"No matter a student's major at Lindsey Wilson, the arts and humanities play a significant role in their experience and their education," said Smith. "Whether a student's focus is accounting, nursing or education, the arts and humanities help students develop critical-thinking and reading skills, build strong communication techniques and learn how to research complex topics. All of those skills are very attractive to prospective employers, no matter a student's major or chosen profession."

The theme of this year's celebration at Lindsey Wilson is "Revolution," a reference to the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration of American independence in 1776 as well as some of the societal and cultural revolutions that have informed and been informed by the arts and humanities. All of the events are free and open to the public.

The Lindsey Wilson School of Arts and Humanities is the home to nine of the university's 29 undergraduate majors -- art, arts administration, English, history, interdisciplinary studies, political science, Spanish, theatre, and women's and gender studies.

Megan Whitson '26, a communication and English double major from East Bernstadt, Kentucky, said the timing of this year's National Arts and Humanities Month couldn't be better.

"I feel like we're in such a moment where it is even more important to emphasize the role that the humanities play in our lives," said Whitson. "It's important that we look to the past to help explain the present."

Morgan Bryant '26, an English and history double major from Shelbyville, Kentucky, said it's also important to set aside a month to celebrate the arts and humanities because of how much they contribute to other majors.

"I love that we have this month," said Bryant. "So much of the time, the arts and humanities are in the background, but this month spotlights how important they are in our lives and in our work."

Lindsey Wilson Arts and Humanities Month kicks off a day early when on Sept. 30 the Lindsey Wilson chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, will hold a roundtable titled "The Value of Academic Conferences." It will be held from 4-5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of the Katie A. Murrell Library.

Other events planned during Arts and Humanities Month include:

* Oct. 8 -- History vs. Hollywood: Hamilton: 5-7 p.m. CT, W.W. Slider Humanities Center Recital Hall; featuring a talk by history professor Lucas Somers before a screening of the 2020 filmed version of the Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical.

* Oct. 15 -- Hot Takes: An invitation for people to share their opinions about literature and pop culture: 5 p.m. CT, Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of the Katie A. Murrell Library. Hot food and drinks will be provided.

* Oct. 19 -- Piano Extravaganza -- Part II: 2 p.m. CT, W.W. Slider Humanities Center Recital Hall.

* Oct. 24 -- Alumni Gallery Art Show Reception: 5-7 p.m CT., Lucretia C. Begley Art Gallery in the W.W. Slider Humanities Center

* Oct. 24 -- Hootenanny, A Community Jam: 7-9 p.m. CT, Blue Raider Band Building Band Room.

* Oct. 27 -- Spooky Story Read-A-Thon and Bake Sale: 3:30 p.m. CT, Dr. Shilpan M. Patel '04 Amphitheater.

* Oct. 27 -- Rocky Horror Picture Show screening and costume contest: 7 p.m. CT, Thomas D. Clark Reading Room of the Katie A. Murrell Library.

* Oct. 29 -- Semester Abroad: Sampling the Harlaxton Experience: 4-6 p.m. CT, J.L. Tuner Leadership Center.

* Every Friday during October will include a special giveaway to celebrate the arts and humanities in everyday life.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

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Lindsey Wilson University Dean of Arts & Humanities Allison Smith says that the arts and humanities play a major part in all of the university’s undergraduate majors.

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