Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, Jacksonville State University has received the largest National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant in its history—an award of $60,000—through the highly competitive “Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education” program. Dr. Benjamin Gross, associate professor of political science and creator of the Tocqueville Lecture Series, was notified of the award while attending a grant-writing seminar.
The NEH program supports institutions with enrollments under 10,000 students, particularly those serving significant numbers of Pell Grant recipients. Out of 37 national applicants, only six institutions were selected for this round of funding.
“This work is going to advance the humanities and our students, our community, and our nation’s understanding of American government and life,” said Dr. Gross. He launched the Tocqueville Lecture Series in 2020 with an initial $10,000 grant from the Jack Miller Center. The series invites scholars to engage in civic discourse around core democratic principles such as liberty and equality.
The NEH grant will fund at least ten additional events over the next two years. To date, the series has hosted 21 events with more than 1,400 in-person and virtual attendees. Dr. Gross emphasized the value of accessibility, noting that online participation allows students and members of the public—especially those with time or caregiving constraints—to engage with the material.
Dr. Michael Wetherholt, senior director of Jax State’s Office of Sponsored Programs, assisted with the application. He noted the challenge of securing NEH funding and commended Dr. Gross’s efforts. “The NEH is a tough agency to crack, and for Dr. Gross to receive $60,000 is phenomenal,” he said.
Historically, Alabama’s major research universities have received the bulk of NEH funding. Of the 331 grants awarded in the state since the NEH’s inception, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and UAB have collectively received over half. Jacksonville State’s new award adds to a small but growing record of success in this area.
Dr. Maureen Newton, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, praised the project for providing unique learning opportunities and preparing students for civic engagement. Dr. Tim Lindblom, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, emphasized that the lecture series’ focus on civil dialogue is particularly relevant in today’s political climate and aligns with JSU’s mission of public outreach.
The grant proposal and development of the series were undertaken outside of Dr. Gross’s standard teaching responsibilities. He credited his family’s support, including hosting post-event gatherings, for helping make the project possible.
“We’re working to build a stronger relationship between JSU and the NEH,” Dr. Gross said. “This is a step forward in that mission.”
