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 include Africana Studies; Ancient Mediterranean Studies; Asian Studies; English; Gender and Sexuality Studies; History; Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES); Latin American and Latinx Studies; Modern Languages and Literatures; Philosophy; and Religious Studies, as well as the Foundations Programs in the Humanities.
"At a time when the whole world is talking about non-human artificial intelligence and its implications, we at Rhodes 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 Rhodes.” — Tim Huebner, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
SEARCH excursion to Black Odyssey production at Hattiloo Theatre (TBD)
January 23: AI at Rhodes: A Campus Conversation (McCallum, 5:30pm)
February 4: Jack D. Farris Visiting Writer Series, Kevin Wilson (Blount, 5:00pm)
February 6: screening of Counted Out documentary (McNeill, 4:30pm)
February 7: “Brassroots Democracy” lecture by Benjamin Barson (Tuthill, 4:00pm)
February 11: screening of Bluff City Chinese documentary (Blount, 6pm)
February 13: “Arabs and Israelis: From October 7 to Peacemaking” (Blount, 5:30pm)
February 20: Laura Heffernan, Rachel Buurma, The Teaching Archive (Spence Wilson Room, 5pm)
March 18: Hil Malatino, “Long Tensions: Trans Advocacy, Homonormativity, and the Reed Erickson Archives” (Blount, 6pm)
March 20: Danez Smith (6pm, Hardie Auditorium)
March 25: Judeophobia and the New Testament (Spence Wilson Room, 6pm)
March 28-29: Midsouth Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (Buckman Hall)
March 30: Timothy Snyder, “On Freedom and Just Habits of Mind” (McNeill Concert Hall, 3pm) Pre-registration required
March 31: Jack Kwong, philosophy lecture (Spence Wilson Room, 5pm)
April 3: Ruffin art history lecture, Caitie Barrett (Blount, 6pm)
April 10: Springfield Music Lecture Series symposium: "Sound, Text, and Movement: Black Church Cultures in Memphis" (McNeill Concert Hall, 9am) All are welcome to attend; community guests should register at this link for a parking pass.
April 10: Gender and Sexuality Studies Symposium (Spence Wilson Room, 3:30pm)
April 15: Hlengiwe Portia Dlamini, “Writing the Constitutional History of Eswatini: From Concept to Completion to Challenges” (Buckman 105, 5pm)
April 25: Springfield Music Lecture Series: Lesléa Newman, "He Continues to Make A Difference: The Story of Matthew Shepard" (Blount Auditorium, 4pm) All are welcome to attend; community guests should register at this link for a parking pass.
Email: newstoks@rhodes.edu
Office: (901) 843-3744
Email: medranog@Rhodes.edu
Office: (901) 843-3874
ABOUT SPENCE WILSON: The center bears the name of respected Memphis businessman and philanthropist Spence Wilson, who has been a long-time supporter of Rhodes. 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 Rhodes, 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’ importance at Rhodes 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 Rhodes. They are members of the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Society, which recognizes the college’s most generous supporters. In addition, Wilson serves as a member of the Council of Emeriti Trustees at Rhodes.
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.
