WMU theatre faculty member wins NEH grant

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Dr. Lofton Durham, associate professor of theatre, has received a $6,000 award from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

His project, "Medieval Theatre at the Center: Jaques Milet's Destruction of Troy and the Making of the French Nation," explores how theatre, both live and in its documentary afterlife, shaped and reflected widely held beliefs about the emergent French nation from the 15th through the 17th centuries. It was one of 208 humanities projects and programs funded by the NEH nationwide and one of just 69 projects in the Summer Stipend category chosen for funding.

"For me, the Summer Stipend represents essential support for my research agenda by enabling me to commit two full months to the project," Durham says. "This outside support, plus the support of Western for my (spring 2018) sabbatical, will push my book over the finish line.

"I'm especially grateful to the Office of the Vice President for Research and my WMU peer reviewers, who gave me invaluable advice that helped me completely revamp my proposal before submitting it to the NEH," he adds.

NEH Summer stipends

National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipends support individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to humanities scholars, general audiences, or both. Eligible projects usually result in articles, monographs, books, digital materials and publications, or other scholarly resources. Summer Stipends support continuous full-time work on a humanities project for a period of two consecutive months.

Learn more at neh.gov/grants/research/summer-stipends.

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