Prominence in the Humanities

Professor showing class copy of Toni Morrison's novel JazzDr. Barchi asked a faculty task force from across the University for strategies to ensure that the humanities would retain their traditional strength as Rutgers grows. He then committed to a five-year $10 million plan, using presidential strategic funds, to implement the group’s key recommendations, including:

  • Recruitment of distinguished faculty in English, history, women’s history, and philosophy in anticipation of the retirement of distinguished professors in those disciplines to ensure a continuity of excellence
  • Establishment of three Henry Rutgers Term Chairs in the humanities to attract strong junior scholars or retain strong mid-career scholars
  • Stipends for newly admitted doctoral students in English, history, linguistics, and philosophy
  • Public humanities initiatives at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers University–Newark, and Rutgers University–Camden