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.

New 2023 Leadership & 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.

A New Generation of Leadership

Late philanthropist and global humanitarian, Yvonne S. Boice, entrusted the position of Chair to John R. Yurtchuk on January 1, 2023. The Honorable B.J. Penn remains Vice Chair, and Nancy J. Cable, PhD, will serve as Secretary and Treasurer. Ms. Boice passed peacefully on January 23, 2023.

"Yvonne’s decades of humanities work extend from Abu Dhabi to the local school library,” said National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). “Without her reinvigoration of the humanities, millions of students worldwide would have missed its study entirely. As we continue to lean into the power of the humanities to grapple with the most fundamental questions of human existence, I look forward to working with John to find new avenues to do so.”

“As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, she made giving back a way of life, which is contagious to those who came in contact with her,” said Penn, former Acting Secretary of the Navy. “The Board pays homage to this dedicated philanthropist.”

Under her leadership, the Trust became the longest-standing and strongest supporter of the Jefferson Lecture, the highest honor the government can bestow for intellectual contributions to the humanities; successfully led the Trust through the recent global pandemic; and subsequently spearheaded the creation of many of the Trust’s future initiatives, including outreach programming.

B​​oice’s years of service and dedication to her numerous arts, cultural and humanities endeavors was recognized across academia and the U.S. government. Boice led national and local fundraising efforts—chairing initiatives ranging from the Trust to Palm Beach State College's STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) efforts and community space improvements. Boice served as Chair of the Palm Beach International Film Festival, Vice-Chair of the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, Chair of the board of overseers of Lynn University and was a long-time supporter of Palm Beach Community College. She also served as a board member of the YMCA of Boca Raton and South Palm Beach County. In recognition of her work, she was honored with many prestigious awards and two honorary doctorate degrees. 

New Chair Releases the Jefferson Lecture 50th Anniversary Book

Newly appointed NTH Chair Yurtchuk is Chairman of Calspan Corporation, a company with a storied 75-year history dating back to the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Company. A professional economist and former Wall Street banker with Irving Trust Company, Yurtchuk founded Matrix Development Corporation in 1990. He also serves as Chairman of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Daemen College Board of Trustees.

In his new role, Yurtchuk will lead the effort to expand the reach of the Jefferson Lecture in new communities around the nation, using the power of storytelling. 

The Trust recently released the book: VIEWPOINTS: 50 Years of the Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. This new reference, created by Mies Hora of Ultimate Symbol, and underwritten by Mr. 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.