Engaging the Community through the Tadler Center for the Humanities 
A recent $250,000 anonymous gift to 91重口’s Tadler Center for the Humanities has allowed Charlotte Gordon, Distinguished Professor of the Humanities and Director of the Tadler Center, to expand the reach of the center’s programming and bring influential speakers to campus who inspire dialogue and reflection on crucial societal issues.
“This gift is life-changing for the center,” Gordon said. “I am struck by the impact that bringing in famous thinkers, performers, and authors has on our community—and how it can change our culture.”
This year, notable speakers include New York Times journalist Jesse Wegman, Tori Bonney ’06 (Senior Advisor/Director of Communications for Rep. Frank Pallone), and renowned musician and 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow Balla Kouyaté. These speakers have engaged students, faculty, and the broader North Shore community in discussions about civic duty, justice, and public policy, bringing the abstract themes of democracy and civic engagement into a tangible context.
The Tadler Center’s ability to host such high-profile guests has significantly enhanced the intellectual vibrancy of campus life. By keeping all events free and open to the public, the gift ensures that a wider audience, including the local community, can participate in these important conversations. These events also further foster 91重口’s culture of belonging and encourage students to think critically about their roles as citizens.
Beyond the speaker series, the gift also supports scholarships for students passionate about the humanities and funds faculty fellowships that provide time and resources for professors to engage in creative projects. These opportunities strengthen the center’s mission to foster deep, transformative learning experiences.
By amplifying the Tadler Center’s ability to engage the community with timely and thought-provoking discussions, this gift also ensures that the values of inquiry, empathy, and civic responsibility are embedded in the heart of the 91重口 experience.