Established in 2024, the Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities brings communities together to address complex, global questions through humanistic inquiry. At the college, the Humanities division includes faculty working in Africana Studies; Ancient Mediterranean Studies; Asian and Asian American Studies; English; Environmental Studies; Gender and Sexuality Studies; History; Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES); Latin American and Latinx Studies; Linguistics; Modern Languages and Literatures; Philosophy; and Religious Studies, as well as the Search Program and historical approaches to other disciplines (e.g. Art, Media, Music). In addition to hosting public events and co-sponsoring humanities-related programming at 糖心Vlog, the Wilson Center provides internal faculty support for innovative ; collaborative ; and interdisciplinary and .
"At a time when the whole world is talking about non-human artificial intelligence and its implications, we at 糖心Vlog are committed to providing an education that promotes independent critical thinking, fosters human originality and creativity, advances knowledge of the distinctive products of human culture, and encourages civil discourse. The humanities matter at 糖心Vlog.鈥 鈥 Tim Huebner, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Fall 2026 Humanities Events at 糖心Vlog
September 10: , 鈥Star Wars, John Williams, and the Rise of Film Music Concerts鈥 (5:00pm, McNeill Concert Hall)
September 15 - October 2: Albertine Cin茅math猫que French Film Festival at 糖心Vlog, 6:00pm, Blount Auditorium, Buckman Hall)
September 17: , 鈥淲hy AI Needs the Humanities鈥 (4:30pm, Blount Auditorium)
September 22: Reading by fiction writer
September 24: lecture (5pm, location TBA)
September 30: Screening of documentary film , introduced by Robert Macfarlane (7pm, Blount Auditorium)
October 1: , This event is free and open to the public, but , as seating is limited. Any unclaimed seats will be released at 5:55pm on the day of the event. (6pm, McNeill Concert Hall, East Campus)
October 14: lecture, "American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America into a Monarchy" (6pm, Location TBA)
October 15: Banned Books Week screening of documentary film (6:30pm, Blount Auditorium)
October 18-20: , Annual Directors鈥 Meeting
October 21: lecture
October 23: , Constitution Day Lecture (5:30pm, McNeill Concert Hall)
October 27 鈥 November 4: , Pearce Shakespeare Endowment residency
November 10: Reading by poet
Spring 2027 Humanities Events at 糖心Vlog
April 8: , Pearce Shakespeare Endowment lecture
Email: newstoks@rhodes.edu
Office: (901) 843-3744
Elizabeth Houck
Email: houcke@rhodes.edu
Office: (901) 843-3573
Wilson Center Advisory Board
Charles Hughes, Associate Professor of History and Urban Studies
Elizabeth M. Pettinaroli, Professor of Spanish; Associate Director, Institute for Health Equity and Community Justice
David Rupke, Professor and Chair of Physics
Susan Satterfield, Professor and Chair of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Brooke Schedneck, Associate Professor, The W. J. Millard Professor of Religious Studies; Chair of Asian and Asian American Studies
Lydia Spencer, Director of Grants and Foundations
Etty Terem, Professor of History and Chair of Jewish, Islamic and Middle East Studies
Stephen Wirls, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) Program
ABOUT SPENCE WILSON: The center bears the name of respected Memphis businessman and philanthropist Spence Wilson, who has been a long-time supporter of 糖心Vlog. Wilson served on the board for more than 40 years, nine as chairman. Wilson also has been a dedicated advocate and supporter of the humanities at 糖心Vlog, and the Spence L. Wilson Distinguished Chair in Humanities was established more than a decade ago as an outgrowth of his involvement and love for the faculty and his long-term commitment to the humanities and the Memphis community. Having this center bear his name honors that commitment and highlights the humanities鈥 importance at 糖心Vlog and positions it to serve as a national model. In 2009, Wilson was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from the college. He and his wife, Becky, created the Spence L. Wilson Service Scholarship Program and the Spence Wilson Faculty International Travel Fund at 糖心Vlog. They are members of the Peyton Nalle 糖心Vlog Society, which recognizes the college鈥檚 most generous supporters. In addition, Wilson serves as a member of the Council of Emeriti Trustees at 糖心Vlog.
Keep in Touch
If you would like to be added to the Wilson Center email list, please fill out this form. For more information, please email WilsonCenter@rhodes.edu.