NEWS RELEASE
January 22, 2026, Washington, DC 

Ruth R. Wisse, Scholar of Yiddish Literature & Jewish Literature & Culture, to Deliver 52nd Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities

The lecture is the highest honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.

Dr. Wisse will deliver the lecture, titled “A Message from the ‘Blue and White’ in the ‘Red, White, and Blue,’” on Wednesday, March 25 at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. In her lecture, Wisse will discuss the deep connections between Jewish culture and ideas and the founding and growth of the United States and speak to the lessons that 2,500 years of Jewish experience hold for the next millennium of American progress. 

The lecture is free and open to the public and will stream online at neh.gov. Tickets to the lecture are free of charge and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve tickets online here.  

Jefferson Lecture Event at the AAC&U (American Association of Colleges & Universities) Annual Meeting, Marriott Marquis Hotel in Washington D.C.

January 2, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On January 24, 2025 at 1:30 pm, Lynn Pasquerella, Vice Chair of National Trust for the Humanities, will host a 90-minute public conversation about the essential value of the humanities in American life. She will present Dr. Andrew Delbanco and Dr. Ruth Simmons, who will provide insight and updated reflections from their Jefferson Lectures over the past two years! The event will be held in the ballroom of the Marriott Marquis and will be both streamed live and recorded in perpetuity.

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will open the session in a film clip to provide his remarks about the key importance of the humanities in many aspects of American life and education. We are honored that he will offer gratitude to the Milstein Foundation, Abby and Howard Milstein, as well as Georgette Bennett, senior grant officer for the Milstein Foundation. Phoebe Stein, President of the State Councils for the Humanities, and several of her national state representatives from across the nation will also be in attendance for that event. 400-500 college and University presidents and provosts will be present in the large hall at the Marriott, including some students from D.C. colleges and universities.

NTH Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Jefferson Lecture

October 19, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Trust for the Humanities Board of Directors honored Andrew Delbanco, 2022 Jefferson Lecturer, and Shelly C. Lowe, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities at the annual luncheon held the afternoon before the evening lecture. This year marked a celebration the 50th Anniversary of the Jefferson Lecture.

2023 Initiatives Continue an Enduring Mission

The National Trust for the Humanities Previews its Next Quarter Century

December 8, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Trust for the Humanities (NTH), the charitable arm of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), today announced its new leadership and initiatives to broaden access to the humanities in communities. 

The Trust, embarking on its next quarter century of service, will carry forward its enduring mission to cultivate the study and application of the humanities under a new generation of leadership in the new year.

The Jefferson Lecture 50th Anniversary Book

The Trust released the book in 2022: VIEWPOINTS: 50 Years of the Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. This new reference, created by Mies Hora of Ultimate Symbol, and underwritten by former board member Mr. John R. Yurtchuk, celebrates the extraordinary lives and monumental work of Jefferson Lecture honorees over the last half century. 

Biographies of each of the honorees detail their important work and awards, including excerpts from their Jefferson Lectures. This full color 264-page hardcover book is available now.

The Trust’s Mission Endures

The National Trust for the Humanities was created in 1996 by a group of distinguished Americans who were deeply concerned about declining support for the humanities and who saw an urgent need to strengthen our democracy through the humanities. 

Today is again a time to reinvigorate the humanities.

“Humanities inspire us,” said the late NTH Chair, Yvonne Boice. “The arts, history, literature, language, philosophy deepen our understanding of the human condition. In these turbulent times this heightened awareness can help strengthen and heal communities. The humanities give us tools to imagine a future full of endless possibilities.”

“Humanities educates the whole person and helps us find meaning -- while creating a better world,” said Penn, a naval aviator who amassed over 6500 flight hours in sixteen different types of aircraft. “When operating in theatre, aviators land amongst and work with people across the world, every day. We must understand the people with whom we are working, know how to communicate with them with honor and respect their customs to uphold alliances and prevent conflict.”

Since its establishment the Trust has raised more than $13,000,000 to support the work in the humanities. The Trust has attracted support from individuals, foundations and businesses for a number of critical projects in the humanities. These include projects to preserve the nation’s founding documents; the creation of EDSITEment, providing online humanities resources for teachers, students and parents; Picturing America, reaching more than 26,000 schools and 29 nations; as well as underwriting the Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities.

About NTH
The National Trust for the Humanities is a charitable, private non-profit organization with the purpose of advocating for the humanities and to extend the reach and support the work of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) by generating charitable donations.