Baecke Endowment for the Humanities

The generosity of Albert Baecke and Rae Marie DeJonghe Baecke of Clearwater, Fla., formerly of East Moline, Illi., has supported teaching and learning experiences in the humanities at St. Ambrose University since 1981.

Initially focused on an endowed professorship at St. Ambrose University, the Baecke Humanities Endowment programs have grown to incorporate a range of scholarly activities related to theology, philosophy, history, literature from a variety of languages, as well as the traditions of the fine arts.

Endowment Mission

The Baecke Endowment for the Humanities champions scholarly endeavors by faculty and students of St. Ambrose University in all fields of humanistic inquiry.

Endowment Objectives

1. To enhance teaching and learning in the humanities.
2. To draw attention to the broad relevance of humanistic learning anchored in specific disciplines.
3. To support projects that benefit St. Ambrose students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the University's broader communities-local, national, and global.
4. To celebrate and extend the University's traditional focus on the humanities.

Definition of the Humanities

The humanities are a group of disciplines that both express and interpret what human beings have believed, experienced, and celebrated in our time and throughout the centuries. As branches of learning, the humanities include history, literature, languages, linguistics, philosophy, ethics, law, theology and religion. The history, theory, and criticism of the arts are also considered humanities topics. Aspects of social sciences that employ qualitative, historical, or philosophical approaches, including cultural anthropology, archaeology, political science, international relations, and interdisciplinary areas such as folklore and women's studies, are also fields in the humanities.

The Baecke Colloquium

Each September, recipients of Baecke awards from the preceding year will celebrate their achievements in the humanities through a series of presentations, sharing the results of their scholarly and creative endeavors with the St. Ambrose community.

Committee Members

Micah Kiel (chair), Brian Miclot, Michael Hustedde, Debbie Sanborne, and Larry Skillin

For More Information

Micah Kiel, Chair
563/333-6121