Posted by Bill Osborne
Dr. Stuart Rockoff, Executive Director of the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC), spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club's May 4 meeting. Dr. Rockoff is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a BA in History and of the University of Texas with an MA and a Ph.D. in American History. Rockoff was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, and raised in Houston. He has been Executive Director of the MHC since 2013.
 
Rockoff discussed the MHC, its role, and its work in Mississippi. He said that the MHC is an "independent nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for Mississippians to learn about themselves and the larger world and enriches communities through civil conversations about our history and culture." The MHC receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, several foundations, and private donors. In 2018, MHC's total funding totaled nearly $1 million. Uses of its funds we 5% for fundraising, 17% for administrative, and 78% for Program Services. Activities and services it funds include grants to nonprofit agencies, a Family Reading Program, Museums on Main Street in smaller communities across Mississippi, Ideas on Tap, Humanities Awards, a Speakers Bureau, and Prison Education. Quoting from the MHC 2020 Biennial Report, Rockoff says" We are a creator, funder, and catalyst for public programs that explore Mississippi's history and culture. The breadth of programs we develop and support reflects our core belief that humanities are for everyone."
 
We thank Rockoff for his presentation and for his service to Mississippi and Mississippians. His presentation may be seen at the following link of the meeting:  https://vimeo.com/545762780. The following photo is of Rockoff during his presentation: