Wholeness in a Torn World

Thirty years ago, Parker Palmer wrote a new preface for the paperback edition of his book, To Know as We are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. Reporting there on his experience traveling the country to explore the issues raised by the book, he writes: "Everywhere I go, I meet faculty who feel disconnected from their colleagues, from their students, from their own hearts." Thirty years later, that sense of disconnection has calcified into alienation.

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Professor of Arabic Honored for Excellence in Teaching with Technology

Ayman Mohamed, Assistant Professor of Arabic in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, is being honored with a 2023 AT&T Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award for his work redesigning his Elementary Arabic courses at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. His technical but minimal approach to teaching, which also places a priority on diversity, equity, and inclusion, was so effective that he continues to use it in his courses to this…

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Collaborating with Smithsonian Institution on Sounds of Religion Exhibition

The Sounds of Religion poster exhibition, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution, Michigan State University, and The Ohio State University, is now available to educators around the globe to download or print for free and is on full display in its worldwide premiere until June 30, 2023, at the MSU Museum. This new Smithsonian poster exhibition explores how rituals and…

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Paula Winke Named Inaugural Arts & Letters Professor

Paula Winke, Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures (LiLaC) at Michigan State University, recently was named the inaugural Arts & Letters Professor recognizing her outstanding intellectual leadership and excellence in teaching. “It is a true honor to be the inaugural Arts & Letters Professor in the College of Arts & Letters,” Winke said. “This award is meaningful…

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Staff Awarded For Excellence and Leadership

This past Fall 2022, the College of Arts & Letters recognized 13 outstanding staff members for their service and exceptional work. Recognition took place at a college appreciation event and awards ceremony on Sept. 9, 2022. Staff awarded for excellence and leadership in Fall 2022. The highlight of this event was the presentation group and individual awards. These included: Years of Service…

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MSU Linguist Receives NSF Grant for Cutting-Edge Research in Word Pattern Recognition

Most people can recognize what words are real and which ones aren’t in the languages they know. However, sometimes a nonsense word might sneak through, especially when the word sounds and looks a lot like a legitimate one. Karthik Durvasula, Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, is delving further into “wordlikeness judgments”…

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International Collaboration to Explore Intersectionality and Inclusion in Research and Curriculum Design

A collaborative project focusing on “Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality in Africa: the History and Current Status of LGBTQ+ in Kenya,” led by College of Arts & Letters faculty Jonathan Choti and Danny Mendez, will bring two guest speakers from Kenya to Michigan State University this spring to share their knowledge, experiences, approaches, and ideas in implementing intersectionality and inclusion in curriculum design and pedagogical practices. The two…

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Inaugural Endowed Professor Teaches How to Connect Writing With Culture

As the inaugural Karen L. Gillmor Ph.D. Endowed Professor in Professional and Public Writing at Michigan State University, Kristin Arola, an innovative scholar and researcher, is not only teaching students persuasive and effective writing skills she also is showing them how to connect and make sense of their culture through their writing.  “To have been selected to serve in this…

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Conversations With CAL Features Ryan Welsh Discussing ‘Mealworms’ Film

In this Conversations with CAL, Ryan Welsh, Assistant Professor of Media Acting in the Department of Theatre, discusses the making of "Mealworms," a short film created by more than 30 MSU students working together with industry professionals.

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Professor Brings Black Religion and Spirituality Expertise to Religious Studies Department

Associate Professor Tamura Lomax is going back to her roots to the discipline that first inspired her scholarly work. In January 2023, she will begin teaching classes as a faculty member of Michigan State University’s Department of Religious Studies. A scholar, author, and activist, Lomax never left Religious Studies, it’s always been an important part of her life, but now…

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