The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $15,000 to Culver-Stockton College in support of the Midwest Literary Project: Culture, Story, and Place. The MHC is the only statewide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971.
The Midwest Literary Project, developed by Dr. Alissa Burger, associate professor of English at C-SC, will explore and elevate the stories, voices, and cultural identity of the Midwest. Serving as project lead, Burger will guide a series of humanities-centered programs that engage students, faculty, and community members in examining how literature reflects and shapes the experience of place. Through public discussions, curated content, and community engagement, the project will highlight the depth and complexity of Midwestern narratives while creating space for meaningful dialogue.
“I am excited to work on this project and bring attention to the excellent literary and cultural work being done in our region and to celebrate what makes the Midwest such a special place,” Burger said.
“This work reflects the kind of meaningful, place-based engagement that defines Culver-Stockton College,” said C-SC President Lauren Schellenberger. “By engaging in projects like this, we are strengthening our connection to the region while contributing to a broader understanding of rural culture and identity.”
The project will be part of Culver-Stockton College’s Center for Rural Opportunity, a recently established initiative designed to expand the College’s reach and position it as a leader in rural-focused scholarship and engagement. The Center brings together academic programs, applied research, and community-facing initiatives to generate insight, inform practice, and create models that extend beyond a single geography.
Programming for the Midwest Literary Project will begin later this year, with opportunities for public participation to be announced.
For more information about the project or upcoming events, please contact Burger at aburger@culver.edu.
For more information about the grants program of the Missouri Humanities Council, call (314) 781-9660 or (800) 357-0909 or email clarice@mohumanities.org.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.