People

Email: julie@humanitieskansas.org

Years Dedicated to the Humanities: 20 years, 14 as Executive Director of Humanities Kansas 

Hometown: Perry, KS

Education: I have a Masters in Historical Administration and Museum Studies with an emphasis in study in anthropology from the University of Kansas. I also hold a Bachelors of Science in Education, Social Studies and English from the University of Kansas.
 
Career Highlights:
I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some of the smartest, most imaginative and civic-minded people in Kansas. I’ve met so many people I admire, won a Kansas Sampler Foundation’s We Kan! award on behalf of our work, and have been humbled with a line in a skit performed for our 40^th anniversary by our board members. (In the style of Rock Island from Music Man:  Ever meet that person named Mulvihill? Mulvihill? Mulvihill? Mulvihill? Mulvihill! Mulvihill? Mulvihill!  … She’s a bang beat, bell ringing, big haul, great go, neck or nothing, rip roarin’, every time a bull’s eye person. That’s director Julie Mulvihill.”)

Why do you love the humanities?
I love the humanities because there’s an encouragement, an expectation that we should all see beyond ourselves, and connect our own experiences with those of others. Since I was a little kid, the humanities have inspired me, spurred me into action, and given me reason to pause for some serious thinking. I didn’t recognize my love of reading and history and curiosity about life in general as “the humanities” then, but I remember going to a museum in grade school and learning about the Galapagos Islands and sitting there on my carpet square and thinking, “there is a whole world out there that I know nothing about” and I felt like it was an important responsibility to know more.  It excited me then and it excites me now. That’s the humanities at work.

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas?
The foundation of democracy is built on the principles of the humanities and the values that define us. I know that might sound kind of lofty but it’s true. In fact, the legislation that created the National Endowment for the Humanities states that “democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens.” Now there’s an example of a big idea. The humanities help us ask good questions: what do we value, how has that changed over time and across generations, what do we owe to one another, and where do we make adjustments to prepare for the generations to come? We are grounded in this ideal that the human experience is worthy of our attention. Big ideas are the only way to tackle the big topics in front of us and there is never a shortage of big topics to cover in Kansas or anywhere.

Why do you love what you do?
I love the energy that happens when people have a connection with the humanities. We call it the humanities buzz. I’ve seen it happen all over the state and it’s that moment when you feel the hair on the back of your neck tingle as people volley ideas and perspectives back and forth or when a community comes together to participate in something that’s meaningful. I’ve felt the buzz at ribbon cuttings for museum exhibits, during oral histories about segregation, and while watching a locally produced short film in a small town American Legion. I could go on and on. Craig Miner, a stalwart in the Kansas history field, had a better term for it. He called the buzz “soul transformation.” None of this would happen without the boldness and vision of the people leading these movements within their own town, often librarians, museum curators, and others working in the cultural sector.  They make all the difference in our state.

Fun Facts:

• I’m fascinated by real life stories of art heists and art theft detectives.
• I’ll read pretty much any piece of fiction with a protagonist who is an archivist, museum curator, professor, historian, archaeologist, anthropologist, park ranger, rare books restorer, librarian. You get the idea. I welcome recommendations.

Favorite Kansan Quote:

• “All night Kansas/the lungs of the continent/takes a sip of the galaxy.” Poet Wyatt Townley from her poem, “Centering the House.”
• “Never waste a crisis,” advice given by Sue Sutton former HK board member from Concordia and retired Dean of Humanities at Cloud County Community College.

What's the inside scoop that we should know about Kansas?
I live in rural Jefferson County, not far from the roots of two dreamers — noted regionalist painter John Steuart Curry and Samuel Peppard, who mounted a mast and sail to his farm wagon in 1860 in an attempt to ride the wind to the gold fields of Colorado. He nearly made it. You can see monuments to both Curry and Peppard’s windwagon in Oskaloosa.

Email: leslie@humanitieskansas.org

Years dedicated to the humanities: 2.5 years

Hometown:  I was born in Emporia, but have lived in Topeka the majority of my life (excluding a short stint in Columbia, MO).

Education: B.G.S. in Anthropology with a minor in Sociology and MA in Public Administration, both from KU. ROCK CHALK!

Why do you love the humanities? I am a curious person and the humanities allow me to engage with my state, community and past in new and fascinating ways.  

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas? We are living through a divisive time and have difficulty engaging with ideas different than our own. We are siloed in many ways but sharing ideas in a respectful platform can lead to empathy for others and the way they experience the world.

Any fun facts that we should know about you? 

• I am really good at blowing bubble gum bubbles.
• I love taking quizzes on Buzzfeed.
• I am a fan of British TV. My current favorite is 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Favorite quote by a Kansan: 

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity” – Amelia Earhart

“The greatest things [about Kansas] are the simplicity of life, watching the thunderheads building on the horizon and running though cornfields.” – Erin Brockovich

Inside scoop or fun fact about Kansas? 

Second only to Texas, there have been more meteorites found in Kansas than in any other state west of the Mississippi River. 

The graham cracker was named after Kansas minister Reverend Sylvester Graham who preferred whole wheat flour crackers. 

Email: abigail@humanitieskansas.org

Years dedicated to the humanities: One and a half years.

Hometown: I’ve lived in Kansas my entire life! I grew up in Plainville, Kansas. For the past several years I have lived in Lawrence and find it a great place to call home.  

Education: I have a BA in Art History from Baker University and a Masters Degree in Art History from the University of Kansas. 

Career highlights: During my last semester of graduate school, visiting Murphy Professor, Erika Doss, (a leading historian of modern American art and culture and Professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame) whose writing I greatly admire, complimented my research on the American artist Paul Cadmus. 

A more recent highlight has been working with organizations across Kansas to develop their Museum on Main Street projects and exhibits. Kansas is brimming with interesting stories—some familiar and others waiting to be uncovered. I like supporting communities as they cultivate ideas and see their projects come to fruition. 

Working at Humanities Kansas I’ve also been able to get know my state, its history, and the people who live here better—that’s pretty special.

Why do you love the humanities? The humanities tell stories of our past, help us to understand who we are and what we value, and inspire us to think creatively and thoughtfully. I love the humanities because art, literature, history, philosophy, ethics, religious studies all have a unique ability to help us connect across our differences and bring people together. 

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas? Big Ideas matter because that’s when change can happen. When we share big ideas, listen to each other, and engage in thoughtful conversations, we develop as individuals and as a community. Big ideas are how we spark conservations and fresh ideas that could transform our lives. This is important for the sustainability of our communities and state.

Any fun facts that we should know about you? 

• I love the theatre. I went to college to study theatre before I changed my major to art history. I continued to act and work backstage all throughout my undergraduate experience, and I still hold “script nights” with my college friends.
• I’m fascinated with true crime stories and like to read books from the genre and watch true crime documentaries. 

Favorite quote by a Kansan: “The most effective way to do it is to do it.”—Amelia Earhart

Anything else we should know about you? I have a corgi named Larry. He’s the best.

Email: tracy@humanitieskansas.org

Years Dedicated to the Humanities: 14

Hometown:
I spent my early years in Leawood. My family moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, (just outside Madison) when I was 11 and that’s where my parents still live. I now live in Lawrence and consider it to be my adopted hometown because I’ve lived there longer than I’ve lived anywhere else!

Education:
I have a BA in History and a BA in Art History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have a Masters Degree in Historical Administration and Museum Studies from the University of Kansas.

My background is in museums and I was curator of education at the Johnson County Museum prior to coming to Humanities Kansas.

Career Highlights:
My first full-time museum/humanities job was as site manager for the Lanesfield School Historic Site in Edgerton, Kansas. I dressed as a 1904 schoolteacher and led 4^th and 5^th graders through an immersive, first-person 1904 school experience. My favorite part of the job – and what’s stuck with me over the years – was how the power of stories and hands-on experience brought history alive for the students. It was amazing to see 21^st century students transport themselves back in time over the course of a day. When we put ourselves in other people’s shoes, we build empathy and a better understanding of how we got “here.”

A highlight of my current position has been unlocking the power of storytelling. Whether it’s working with Kansas communities to develop their local stories for Museum on Main Street projects or sharing our stories and the stories of our statewide partners on social media and in publications. Every person and every community has a unique story that no one else can tell. It’s been enlightening and inspiring to bring these stories to light though my work at Humanities Kansas.

Working on the rebranding for Humanities Kansas is another highlight of my work with Humanities Kansas. The transistion to Humanities Kansas is the start of another exciting new chapter in the organization’s rich 45-year history. I am motivated and re-invigorated by the opportunity to connect the work of Humanities Kansas with even more people who live in our state through the movement of ideas.

Why do you love the humanities?
The humanities help us understand the world around us, by providing context, sharing stories and perspectives, and encouraging inquiry and reflection. The humanities show that we are all in this human experience together and, through the humanities, we can come together to engage in civil discourse to have thoughtful, meaningful discussions about our past, present, and future without intolerance and partianship.  
 

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas?
There’s never been a better time for Big Ideas in Kansas. We have the opportunity to explore ideas that matter together and in a way that can impact our future. Now is not the time to shy away. There’s a perception that Kansas is “boring” and behind the times -- that it’s just like the black and white scenes from “The Wizard of Oz.” What the people of Kansas know, and what we need to expand on, is that there are people in our state who are doing big, exciting things. We need to connect those people through the movement of ideas and work together to share and inspire others to join the movement.

Why do you love what you do?
My favorite part of the working at Humanities Kansas is what I refer to as the “humanities buzz” – it’s that feeling you get when the hairs on the back of you neck stand up because something magical is happening: the shared experience of the humanities. It could be the outpouring of local stories at a grassroots history exhibition in Perry or immigrants from Laos sharing traditional dances in Winfield or a room full of awe-inspired silence as the Poet Laureate of Kansas finishes reading a poem. Everyone on staff has countless examples of when they have experienced the “humanities buzz” and the list continues to grow  and inspire us as we encounter people across the state who are sharing ideas and making connections with one another.

Fun Facts:
I am postcard famous. I was once the model for the 1950s All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum and from time to time I’ll see the postcard in circulation or my photo will appear in a book, newspaper article, or online.

I like to cook and bake In my spare time. In fact, the more stressed I am, the more I like to bake. I’m currently working through recipes in “Dinner: Changing the Game” by Melissa Clark and “Sweet” by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh. This obsession is especially popular with my husband who is a chef and appreciates it when someone else is doing the cooking.

Also in my spare time, you can find me shopping for antiques, reading, having a dance party with my two sons, doing yoga, trying new restaurants, visiting muesums, or pouring over home décor ideas.

Favorite Kansan Quote: 
“Kansas had better stop raising corn and begin raising hell.” - Mary Elizabeth Lease, 19^th Century Kansas Lecturer and Writer 

“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.” – Amelia Earhart

Inside scoop on Kansas?
One of the perks of working at Humanities Kansas is that you really get to know the state firsthand through all of the travels. Each city and town in Kansas has its own unique qualities, interesting history, and wonderful historic architecture. Everyone should take the time to explore our state! And if someone offers to give you a tour of their town or recommends a place to try, take them up on it. It’s hard to pick just one place to visit, but a particular standout is southwest Kansas. I love going to Garden City for the food (Pho Hoa One for Vietnamese and El Zarape for Mexican). Dodge City is a favorite for the absolutely charming saloon show at the Boot Hill Museum and the Boot Hill Distillery which is housed in an amazing 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival building.

Anything else we should know about you?
My Hogwarts house is Hufflepuff.

leighann@humanitieskansas.org

Name: Leighann Thone

Years dedicated to the cause (at HK): 1.5

Hometown:

I'm originally from Dardanelle, Arkansas, a little town in Yell County on the Arkansas River. It is famously the home of Mattie Ross from the book by Charles Portis and John Wayne film True Grit! I moved to Lawrence in 2015 for my PhD and have lived there since.

Education:

I have a BA in English Literature and Language with a minor in Journalism from Arkansas Tech University, an MA in English from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Kansas. My doctoral work was largely focused on studying how genres work and change and how audiences interact with, respond to, and use media, particularly television.

Career highlights:

I was a teacher at the college level for 8 years, teaching writing, rhetoric, and literature. A major highlight was teaching a course I designed about the rhetoric of comedy - it was a joy. I loved seeing how much my students and I learned each semester about how comedy can shape the world and make tough conversations a little bit easier. Watching comedies and finding new things on the internet that me laugh is one of my favorite pastimes, and integrating those things into the class, along with all the content my students brought to the table, was exciting.

In 2018, I decided that I wanted to rewrite the plans of my career path and experiment with some different ways to utilize my writing skills. I was lucky enough to be hired as Assistant Grant Writer at the Lied Center of Kansas. I learned so much about the grant world from my boss, Anthea Scouffas, and was able to help write a huge variety of grants from the local to national level.

I first came to HK as a summer fellow through the Hall Center for the Humanities in June 2019, and it instantly felt like a place where I could do work that mattered. A highlight for sure!

Why do you love the humanities?

I have always loved the humanities for their ability to help us see and understand ourselves and others more clearly. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with books – some of the earliest photos of me as a baby and toddler are me holding books, puzzling about what was on the page. As I got older, I loved reading because it brought me so many different perspectives on the world. I could either identify with what I was reading, or I could see things through the eyes of someone not like me at all. It led me to pursue academic work in English and teaching others to love reading and writing, too. I value empathy very deeply and it's amazing how the humanities can cultivate that!

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas?

Big Ideas can be risky, but they’re how we move forward - they spark thought and conversation and guide us to figure out what works and what doesn't. Big Ideas can help us define ourselves and connect with others. We need to understand and empathize with one another, especially people unlike ourselves, and seeing beyond our own perspectives to how others experience the world is one of the ways that we can make that happen.

Any fun facts that we should know about you?

I can play clarinet and bass guitar.

I was a majorette in high school and college. In addition to regular ol’ batons, I also twirled fire and knives!

I have always attended schools with unique mascots – the Dardanelle Sand Lizards, the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys and Golden Suns (the men’s and women’s teams have different mascots – I cannot explain this – and they have a bulldog mascot named Jerry, as well), the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Kansas Jayhawks!

Favorite quote by a Kansan:

“We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.” – Gwendolyn Brooks

Inside scoop or fun fact about Kansas?

I know all Kansans know this, but Kansas has the best sunsets. There are no mountains to get in the way, so they’re spectacular. If you're ever in Hays, eat the dill pickle soup at Gella's Diner. It sounds weird, but it’s amazing. I have been gifted with a to-go quart on more than one occasion!

Anything else we should know about you?

I love baking and trying new recipes!

lvh@humanitieskansas.org

Name: Leslie VonHolten    

Years dedicated to the cause (at HK): 6 years

Hometown: 

I grew up in a military family, so we moved a lot, but Kansas was always home. Franklin County, specifically. 

Education: Bachelor’s in Art History and English Literature, and a Masters in Public Administration, all from KU.

Career highlights: 

Working with the HK team to build a home for the Poet Laureate of Kansas program in 2013 when it needed a place to thrive. I’ve been a poetry reader since childhood, but when this project landed on my desk, I dove head-first into poetry by Kansas writers. It changed my DNA and forever enriched my connection to home. (I’ll beg the poets to forgive my mixed metaphors.)

Why do you love the humanities? 

Humanities connect people to places, and to each other. My two great loves are land and literature; I turn to books to make sense of the world and my place in it. Now when I travel the state, I think of writers who have stood in the same place before me: Santa Fe Trail diarist Susan Shelby Magoffin when I look at the rolling Flint Hills south of Council Grove. Avant-garde poet Ronald Johnson when I stand, so small, under the dazzling night sky above Ashland. Williana Hickman when I am buffeted by winds on the High Plains near Nicodemus. The stories of the Kiowa reflected through the great N. Scott Momaday when I marvel at big bluestem taller than me. These journeys simply astound me. What a rich and complicated history we have.

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas.

Our world needs vision beyond the immediate tomorrow; big ideas are what will get us there. We need to see past ourselves. The humanities reach back, but also move through us and into the future. To make this future just, equitable, and fulfilling, we need big ideas as we build our roadmap together. 

Any fun facts that we should know about you? 

• I think the Western Vistas Byway from Oakley to Sharon Springs should get more love. Driving it is a soul reset for me: my lungs expand, my mind clears. I love a flat horizon line.
• I am not allergic to poison ivy. Knock on wood that this doesn’t change.
• I still send fan letters to authors. (#nerd) I never expect them to reply, but sometimes one does and that’s pretty cool.

Favorite quote by a Kansan: 

“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.”—Dwight D. Eisenhower. I translate this as “have open eyes, but be adaptable.”

A tweet from Wyatt Townley has also stuck with me: “Poetry is both basement and tornado.” Kansans get her reference.
 

Anything else we should know about you?

Send me recommendations for hiking trails and good books. On these two topics, I am all ears.