Lyon College has been awarded a $175,000 “Cornerstones” grant from the Teagle Foundation to reinvigorate the role of humanities in general education.
The funding will support the implementation of a renovated core curriculum, “Conversations,” as well as a brand-new Medical Humanities minor and enhancement of YearOne, Lyon’s first-year seminar.
The Teagle Foundation, which supports and strengthens liberal arts education, awarded the grant to help Lyon College foster a transformative experience for its diverse student body. The funding will be used for faculty development and stipends as the college launches its innovative core curriculum in the fall of 2025 and its Medical Humanities minor in the fall of 2024.
“We have found ourselves at the vanguard of a movement,” said Dr. Wesley Beal, who serves as W.C. Brown, Jr. Professor of English and as a principal investigator on the grant project. “The Teagle Foundation is marshaling an incredible campaign for the soul of liberal learning. It sounds like hype. But it’s true. They’re leading this movement while the humanities are in retreat nationwide, and the timing is especially favorable for us because it’s a pivotal moment in Lyon’s history as we build out important preprofessional programs.” The grant, he explained, will help Lyon continue to foster critical-thinking skills and ethical grounding necessary for success in any field.
Lyon College serves a predominantly rural student body, with a significant portion being Pell-eligible and student-athletes. The new curricula aim to create equitable educational opportunities for all students, enhancing their intellectual experiences and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community.
The Conversations curriculum, a series of three courses all students will take beginning their first semester, focuses on transformative texts that engage students with profound questions relevant to their lives. These courses will cover themes such as American political traditions, global historical developments, and world literature, fostering a deeper understanding of self and society. YearOne will also integrate Meno, one of Plato’s dialogs, to achieve the same goal.
In addition to the core curriculum, the new Medical Humanities minor will cater to health science students, combining electives in anthropology, literature, history, and ethics with a capstone seminar. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to enhance the educational experience of students pursuing careers in health professions.
“This grant allows us to offer a richer and more comprehensive educational experience. By intertwining humanities with medical studies, we can cultivate more empathetic and well-rounded healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Alexis Baldacci, assistant professor of history and another principal investigator for the grant project.
“The Teagle Foundation is excited to support Lyon College’s innovative approach to liberal arts education,” said Dr. Andrew Delbanco, president of the Teagle Foundation. “By integrating powerful works of literature into their curriculum, Lyon College is preparing students to navigate a complex world with empathy and insight.”
Lyon College President Dr. Melissa P. Taverner said, “This grant is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and the holistic development of our students. By integrating transformative texts and interdisciplinary studies into our core curriculum, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to be integrated learners, thoughtful leaders, and compassionate professionals.”
Information provided by Lyon College
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