People

Email: julie@humanitieskansas.org

Years Dedicated to the Humanities: 17 years, 11 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 make up songs and sing them to my dog.
• Once I gave a heart shaped potato chip as a gift on Valentine’s Day.
• 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 KHC 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: tracy@humanitieskansas.org

Years Dedicated to the Humanities: 11

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.

Email: murl@humanitieskansas.org

Years Dedicated to the Humanities: 10+

Education:
I have a Bachelor’s degree in History with an emphasis in Central European History from K-State and a Masters Degree in Museum Studies and American Studies.

Career Background:
I joined Humanities Kansas in January 2012 as the Director of Grants. Before coming to Humanities Kansas, I was the Assistant Curator for the Kansas Museum of History.

Fun Fact: 
I'm a Major in the Kansas Army National Guard. 

Email: valerie@humanitieskansas.org

Hometown: Topeka, KS

Education: I have a BA in History from the Johns Hopkins University and MA and Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Berkeley.

Career Highlights: I’ve spent most of my career in higher education teaching and researching on Mexican immigration and Mexican immigration to Kansas specifically. I was excited to be asked to participate in a project sponsored by the Kansas City Public library on the Pendergast years. My contribution is titled “Kansas City’s Mexican Community and the Guadalupe Center,” the Pedergast Years: Kansas City During the Jazz Age and Great Depression. I also served as a “talking head” for a brief documentary on Mexicans in Topeka. And, I’m also very proud to be raising a book-loving feminist!

Why do you love the humanities?
I love learning and fell in love with reading as a child. I imagined myself in other places, times, and lives. In college and grad school a new world opened up to me — talking with other people about these ideas be it literature, philosophy, ethics, or history.

Why do BIG IDEAS matter to you, and for the future of Kansas? I think it is important to have an informed and engaged community. Ideas and talking and learning about them brings people together. It exposes everyone to other ideas.

Why do you love what you do?
I’m excited to share my love of the humanities with Kansans and to create new programs that attract an even wider audience! I’m also looking forward to learning from others from around the state. I like that this organization caters to the public and that it is statewide.

Any fun facts that we should know about you?

• I’m an avid yogi and would ideally practice twice a day if I could.
• I’ve been a “talking head” for a local documentary.
• I’m a reiki master. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

Favorite Kansan Quote:
“Sit down. Inhale. Exhale.” - Gwendolyn Brooks

Inside scoop on Kansas?

• Best Mexican food I’ve ever had (including Texas and California) was at Casa Ramos in Emporia.
• In the 90s movie classic Clueless, Kansan Paul Rudd pays homage to his home state by wearing a KU cap.
• And it is rumored that Cecil B. DeMille produced Governor Alf Landon’s Notification Day Parade in Topeka in July 1936 upon his Republican nomination for President.

Email: leslie@humanitieskansas.org

Leslie joined Humanities Kansas in June 2018. She studied Anthropology and Sociology as an undergrad at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Following her undergraduate studies, she held positions with the State of Kansas for seven years. In 2013, she was accepted to the School of Public Affairs and Administration at KU. She completed her Master of Public Administration in 2015, while working full time at the Kansas Bar Association. Prior to joining HK she was the Director of Legal Education Services at the Kansas Bar Association.