Unlike some ho-hum luncheons, the Hiett Prize in Humanities on Tuesday, November 10, proved to be filled with a better understanding of the role of the humanities in this day and age with a healthy dose of humor thanks to Prize-winner Dr. Scott Samuelson. Here’s a report from the field:
What do the humanities have in common with pastries? According to Dr. Scott Samuelson, the 2015 recipient of the $50,000 Hiett Prize in the Humanities, neither should be defended.
The analogy was met with applause at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture’s annual luncheon as a packed Ritz-Carlton drank up Samuelson’s witty but heartfelt musings on why the humanities must play an important role in bringing the humanity back into humanity.
As the largest award of its kind in the nation, the Hiett Prize recognizes an emerging leader in the humanities who shows extraordinary promise. Endowed by Kim Hiett Jordan as a tribute to her parents lifelong love of learning, Samuelson summed up the impact of the award when he said, “The Dallas Institute does a great thing by giving help at a time when that help is still really, really useful.”
Samuelson, a professor of philosophy and author from Iowa, has spent his career guiding students of all kinds – from prisoners to professionals – into the philosophic life. Yet, it was his conscious decision to eschew the Ivy League track and embrace teaching philosophy at a community college that has given his life the most meaning. “Plato for plumbers,” he calls it. It is through his students at the community college and the inmates at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (a.k.a. Oakdale Prison), that for him the true meaning of “citizens” has come alive. It was this accessibility and refreshing honesty that resulted in a standing ovation and a fan club patiently lined up to speak with him.
Honorary Chairs Dr. Nancy Cain Marcus and Dr. Randy Gordon joined Samuelson and Dr. Larry Allums on stage after his speech for a light-hearted discussion on the impact philosophy has on society from an individual, economic and political perspective.
Representatives from Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin County Community Colleges were out in force. Sally Hoglund and Dana Juett wanted to learn more about his work with the prisoners. An entire table of supporters had flown in from Iowa and Memphis. David Griffin shared his love of the humanities with a group of his Realtors, and all the while silent prayers were being said for Dr. Louise Cowan who was battling an illness in hospital.
When asked what was next for him, a smiling Dr. Samuelson simply told the crowd that included Dr. Louise Stroud, Dr. Gail Thomas and Judy Kelly, “I think I’ll start with a glass of wine tonight.”
* Photos provided by Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture