Humanities

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.

In answer to the question: “Why English, philosophy and sustainability?” Zane Encinas might say, “Isn’t it obvious?”

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.

Samantha “Sammie” Harker does some things really, really well — like, for instance, memorize numbers.

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.

What does it mean to be a standout among standouts?

It’s possible that Capt. Kimberly “Kimber” Jackson, a KC-46A instructor pilot who is graduating from Arizona State University with a graduate degree this spring, is the embodiment of that idea.

Arizona State University professors Anne Feldhaus and Carlos Vélez-Ibáñez are among those newly elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. Others elected this year include author Salman Rushdie, biochemist Katalin Karikó, actress Glenn Close, musician Rhiannon Giddens, The New York Times critic Wesley Morris and astronaut Bernard A. Harris.

Arizona State University’s Durham Hall has been transmogrified, in the words of one of its inhabitants, from “one of the ugliest buildings on campus to one of the most beautiful.”

Thus said Nina Berman, director of the School of International Letters and Cultures, at Tuesday’s rededication of the newly renovated building.

Dean of Humanities Jeffrey Cohen talked about seeing the building when he arrived on campus: “It was not a pretty sight,” Cohen said. “I’m pretty sure I saw a mushroom in the basement.”

Not anymore.

Imagine a college campus where free speech was limited or even prohibited. Traditionally, American universities are the places that foster safe spaces and venues for students, faculty and the community to have open discussions and socially conscious debates. Staying true to this mission is the key driver behind the Regents’ Cup.

This year, the event will be hosted by Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff on April 30 and portions will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. 

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.

A familiar adage says that if you want something done, ask a busy person.

Earlier this semester, three School of International Letters and Cultures faculty members at Arizona State University were selected as winners of the school’s course redesign grant competition. They were each provided with funding to update the curriculum of an existing course to give it a new focus.

As the spring semester draws to a close, several School of International Letters and Cultures faculty members are wrapping up research projects they undertook with the support of funding from the Institute for Humanities Research at Arizona State University.

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2022 graduates.