Exploring the Kansas Character featuring

Randy Austin, chair, KHC Board of Directors
Tom Averill, literature professor, Washburn University
Raylene-Hinz Penner, poet, Washburn University
Jim Hoy, folklorist, Emporia State University
Craig Miner, historian, Wichita State University
Karen Ray, literature professor, Washburn University

On December 7, 2006, the work of KHC founding director Marion Cott was celebrated in Topeka. Attended by Kansans statewide, the event featured a celebration of the human experience; the human ties strengthened through the humanities.

Notable speakers from around the state offered their thoughts on the “Kansas Character” and the role the humanities play in making our individual lives richer, and our communities stronger.

Chautauqua in Kansas

For more than 20 years, KHC has brought the traditions of the historic Chautauqua to towns and rural communities across the state. From the late 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century, touring Chautauquas combined oratory and lectures about national events with literary readings and musical entertainment that entertained and informed people about political and cultural happenings. Beginning in1983, KHC revived the Chautauqua movement, and 50 communities have hosted the contemporary Chautauqua, playing host to the famous and infamous from American history.

KHC intends to continue the Chautauqua tradition with the creation of the Marion Cott Chautauqua Fund, an initiative that recognizes the leadership of the long-time KHC director in renewing Chautauqua in Kansas. The KHC Board of Directors invites donors to Friends of the Humanities to make a special gift, restricted to the Chautauqua Fund, to help secure the dollars needed to continue this signature program. To date, contributions total more than $13,000, including the $3,000 matching gift. The Fund goal is $15,000. Click here to see the donors to the Cott Chautauqua Fund.

Click here to:

• See photographs from the Exploring the Kansas Character event.

• Read comments from Marion reflecting on her "just right" moments from 34 years as the Executive Director for the Kansas Humanities Council.

• Read the presentation by Craig Miner, author and historian.

• Read the presentation by Tom Averill as "William Jennings Bryan Oleander from Here, Kansas."

• Read former KHC board member Raylene Hinz-Penner's comments on Marion's retirement.

• Read Raylene's poem for Marion, Human Ties in Kansas.

• Read former KHC board member Anita Skeen's poem for Marion, Querencia.

• Enjoy the script from the Humanities Skit.

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