OUR MISSION

The West Virginia University Humanities Center ignites, supports, and promotes humanistic inquiry. As a vibrant cultural and intellectual hub of WVU, we proudly bring together a strong community of scholars and artists to showcase the vital role of humanities scholarship and creativity in a thriving and just society.

What We Do

Foster Faculty &

Student Research

And Development

With the support of multiple private endowments, we support humanities research through our annual grants and fellowships program. We also support workshops, reading groups, and other activities that enhance our lives as scholars and artists.

Spark Human

Connection with

Public Engagements

We engage the public by hosting speakers, exhibitions, and discussions that expand our perspectives, challenge assumptions, inspire the imagination, encourage human connection, and promote a deeper understanding of all aspects of human culture.

Build Community

around Humanistic

Inquiry

We put humanistic inquiry and human connection at the center of our campus culture. Our goal is for WVU to be a model of cutting-edge humanities research, outstanding teaching and learning, and a service for improving the lives of the people of our state and the world.

News & Updates

2026-2027 Research Grantees Named

The WVU Humanities Center is pleased to announce and celebrate the recipients of its research grants for 2026-2027. This year, the Humanities Center supported eight research projects and one team project.

Meet Our Grantees

Book cover of "In the Shadow of the Greenbrier" by Emily Matchar. A woman in a 20s-era hat and skirt suit stands with her back to the viewer as she looks left. Green staircase and white flowers surround her. Photo of author Emily Matchar to the right.

Explore the secret history of the Greenbrier with Emily Matchar

Emily Matchar, author of "In the Shadow of the Greenbrier," a multigenerational Jewish family saga set around the iconic West Virginia hotel, the Greenbrier, will be on campus September 9. Join the Humanities Center to learn more about a relatively unknown chapter of West Virginia history and meet the author as she discusses her novel.

Learn More & RSVP

Photo of Sarah Morris standing in front of wood railing overlooking a valley.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Sarah Morris on Identity, Place, and Belonging

Dr. Sarah Morris, Assistant Professor of English and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Writing Program at WVU, published her first book, Lessons from “Take Me Home, Country Roads”: Identity Be(Longing), and Imagined Landscapes with West Virginia University Press in October 2025.

Learn About Morris' Book

Sign Up for the Newsletter

Our newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with all the humanities happenings on campus. We'll bring you updates and opportunities from the Humanities Center and our partners on campus.

Upcoming events

Join us to hear from special speakers, see exhibitions, and discuss topics that expand our perspectives, challenge assumptions, inspire the imagination, encourage human connection, and promote a deeper understanding of all aspects of human culture.