In 1966, the Liberal Arts Forum organized the first of what would become an annual spring lecture series. Officially titled Studies in the Humanities, the Forum’s first “Humanities Week” proved a major success and was attended by over 2500 students and faculty.
An article in the Maroon and Gold discussing the upcoming Spring Symposium.
One of the most notable speakers to participate in the first spring lecture series was Republican congressman Gerald R. Ford. After delivering a speech on the first day of the lecture series, Representative Ford then held a press conference on the second floor of the Carlton Library, where he was introduced by Elon President J. Earl Danieley. This would not be Ford's last visit to Elon however, and in 1986 he returned to Elon, this time as a visiting former President.
An article in the Maroon and Gold detailing both Ford’s visit and the overall success of Humanities Week.
Inspired by the rousing success of the first Humanities Week, the Liberal Arts Forum began hosting an annual spring lecture series on campus. For more information about the speakers who visited Elon as part of this program, including in 1966, see the page titled “Annual Lecture Series Programs” on the right-hand selection menu.
