Westminster College and Utah Humanities Council Conclude Inaugural Ventures Course 

 May 19, 2006 


SALT LAKE CITY  –Westminster College and the Utah Humanities Council teamed up this year to provide low-income adults with courses in the humanities. Recently seventeen students graduated from the program, sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council and taught by professors from Westminster College and the University of Utah.

Some of the students in the program have experienced homelessness, poverty or served time in prison and some are refugees. The Ventures program gives them a chance they might not otherwise have had to earn college credit while studying literature, U.S. history, art history, philosophy and critical-thinking courses.

Westminster College professor Bridget Newell, who also teaches Philosophy for the Ventures program, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this course. The students were amazing—they were enthusiastic, eager to learn, active participants and insightful. We all went to class after a long day of work, and I was often surprised by how ‘up’ and engaged everyone was. The class was often the highlight of my day. I’m very happy for and proud of the students and somewhat sad the course is over.”

The Utah Humanities Council is accepting applicants for the 2006-2007 year of Venture. Applicants to Venture need to have a low income, the ability to read a newspaper in English, and a strong desire to complete the two semester course. For more information, call Jean Cheney at 801-359-9670.