Former U. President Sheldon Hackney discusses his four-year tenure at NEH

Former University President Sheldon Hackney shared both his personal experiences and a meal last night with members of the Perspectives in Humanities Living and Learning Program. Hackney, who returned to the University this fall to teach history after a four-year stint heading the National Endowment for the Humanities, touched on a variety of topics with about 15 students over pasta and salads. He noted that his tenure as chairperson of the NEH coincided with what he termed Washington's "cultural war." He began his term in 1993, only one year before Republicans took over control of Congress. The new legislators, according to Hackney, were extremely critical of the NEH, which provides funding for scholars and organizations doing work in the field of the humanities. "Many members of the new Congress were calling for the elimination of the NEH," he said. The endowment has survived its critics, however, becoming what Hackney termed "a depoliticized program that supports the humanities, regardless of political affiliation." Summing up his tempestuous time with the NEH, Hackney remarked, "It is good to be back on a college campus." Discussing some of the research he conducted while with the NEH, Hackney said he focused on race relations, which he described as "one of the continuing and unsolved problems in America." While at the NEH, Hackney wrote a book, One America Indivisible, on race relations in the nation. In the government-sponsored book, Hackney describes the complexities of race, especially defining what makes someone an "American." He also cited examples of contemporary American racial tensions, including the O.J. Simpson trial and the Rodney King beating. Before jumping into the topics of NEH and race relations, Hackney discussed the Perspectives in Humanities program with its members. Praising the program, he said it "humanizes" the high rises, which he described as "anti-social." He noted, for example, that the high rises do not have many common areas and stressed that televisions prevent students from interacting. This is the first year the program --Ewhich originated in King's Court/English House -- has expanded to the high rises, according to Ada Stein, a Nursing sophomore. Last night's event, held in High Rise South's rooftop lounge, was one of an ongoing series of dinner discussions focusing on the humanities. Former guests have included Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics, and Psychology Professor David Dinges, an expert on sleep deprivation. In addition to discussions, the Perspectives in Humanities program sponsors trips to plays and museums, and promotes new books written by University professors.