When I look back on this year, I find it easy to focus on the many challenges it brought us. Whether (doom)scrolling on my phone or in conversations that morosely peter out, it’s been easy to sink into a quagmire of feeling. I don’t have an easy answer for that, to be honest. But looking back also reminds me of the many lessons I’ve learned from our humanities theme of Play; namely, that it can take many forms. What I’ve learned from two years of exhibitions, conversations, and public events offered by this community is that play can change things, that it disrupts our sour moods, and that it invites those who join in it to imagine the world differently – better, even.
Our fall seminar series on the humanities theme highlighted the best of play, exploring an array of topics like environmentalism in video games and media, economic game theory, Black girls’ play as praxis of liberation, and the kinetic movement of hip-hop dance. The seminar laughed, moved, and thought together about what play looks like even in dark times. This spring, our student advisory board chairs Nate Dunn ’27 and Hunter Mawn ‘27 traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for humanities funding with our state representatives. There, they engaged in meaningful discussions with Senators and staff about how the arts and humanities have contributed to their lives. It was a difficult task–made even more apparent in the weeks after, when DOGE cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities threatened the future of public humanities programming–but our efforts reminded me that we’re not alone in fighting for something better.
John Green’s visit was a highlight of my spring (and I believe I’m not alone!). In the weeks leading up to his visit, our community was abuzz with energy. The Waterville Public Library offered reading groups and bookend-making workshops, Waterville Creates hosted an interactive public exhibition, the Maine Film Center screened The Fault in Our Stars, and our student advisory board hosted half a dozen reading groups up at Colby. Folks came from all across Maine to listen to him in conversation with Sarah Braunstein, associate professor of English, and CAH student advisory board chair Nate Dunn. Green offered thoughts on the writing process, shared stories about failure, and challenged us to find connection and community in dark times. His visit reminded us how stories—and their tellers—can rekindle hope, even in uncertain times. I left the event beaming.
I know that things are hard right now. Next year’s theme of Islands feels particularly apt as we struggle to avoid the insularity and isolation that proliferates in tough times, and as we instead turn to think in archipelagic ways–that is, to emphasize the networks, bridges, and solidarities that link seemingly separate parts. I look forward to continuing to explore and learn from you all in equal measure.
