The NEH Challenge

Northampton Community College has been chosen by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to receive the largest grant awarded in a recent highly selective national grant competition. The College's NEH grant was also given "We the People" designation, placing it among an elite group of projects associated with an NEH initiative aimed at strengthening the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture.

The $800,000 NEH award is a challenge grant. It requires the College to raise an additional $1.6 million from other donors. The funds will create an endowment that will enable public school students, college students, and the community at large to explore a different humanities-related theme each year. Exploration of the themes will include credit and non-credit course offerings, as well as public programming such as a film festival, a "one-community-one-book" series, panels, podcasts, webcasts, and visits by nationally known speakers.

"This is a big deal," said NCC President Dr. Arthur Scott. "We try hard to blur the line between the College and community, and this grant will benefit both our students and the surrounding community."

The year-long themes will be integrated into curriculum at Northampton's Bethlehem, Tannersville, and Southside campuses, as well as into the community with the help of community partners.

Community partners will help to generate interest in each theme and present public programming. Partners include Bethlehem Area Public Library, the Bethlehem Area School District, the Eastern Monroe Public Library, Historic Bethlehem Partnership, Monroe County Historical Association, and the Stroudsburg Area School District.

Visit the "Meaning of Freedom" website for more information.

Help Us Meet The Challenge!
Northampton needs your support to meet this history-making challenge. If you would like to make a contribution to our effort, please contact Susan K. Kubik, Director of the NCC Foundation, at skubik@northampton.edu or 610-861-5451.