NPC Luncheon with William "Bro" Adams, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities

The new chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, William "Bro" Adams, will outline his plans for the endowment’s future -- including its 50th anniversary activities in 2015 -- at a National Press Club luncheon on Jan. 15.

The tenth chairman of the NEH, Adams will use his speech to launch the agency’s new initiative “The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square.” This initiative is designed to demonstrate the critical role humanities scholarship can play in public life.

Adams is embarking upon the endowment’s 50th anniversary by recalling its founding legislation, which includes a Declaration of Purpose that says: “The world leadership which has come to the United States cannot rest solely upon superior power and wealth and technology, but must be solidly founded upon a worldwide respect and admiration for the nation’s high quality as a leader in the realm of ideas and of the spirit.”He has indicated that he believes the need for this country to “be a leader in the realm of ideas and the spirit is every bit as great now as it was fifty years ago, and probably much greater.”

Prior to coming to the NEH, Adams was president of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, from 2000 until his retirement on June 30, 2014. During his Colby tenure, he led a $376 million capital campaign – the largest in Maine history – that included expansion of the Colby College Museum of Art and the gift of the $100-million Lunder Collection of American Art. His tenure also saw the creation of a center for arts and humanities and a film studies program, and expansion of the college’s curriculum in creative writing and writing across the curriculum.

The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session that ends at 2 p.m. The cost of luncheon admission is $23 for National Press Club members and $37 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation.

NPC members who wish to attend the pre- luncheon reception must RSVP separately to [email protected] no later than 48 hours before the event. Space may be limited. You must have a paid reservation to the luncheon to attend the VIP reception

To submit a question in advance, put ADAMS in the subject line and email to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on the day of the luncheon.