Celebrate the Humanities
at Lake Forest College
Humanities Day, a cherished tradition at Lake Forest College, explores the dynamic connections between the humanities and other disciplines across campus.
This year’s event features engaging faculty discussions, an inspiring alumni panel, and a thought-provoking keynote address by a globally renowned expert in artificial intelligence.
Humanities Day is Monday, February 24 with a bonus discussion on Tuesday, February 25.
Founded by Associate Professor of African American Studies and History Courtney Joseph and Associate Professor of French Tessa Sermet, Humanities Day is co-sponsored by the HUMAN project, the Krebs Center for the Humanities, and the Ethics Center at Lake Forest College.
Contact Information
Tessa Sermet
Associate Professor of French
sermet@lakeforest.edu
NEWS
Exploring humanity in the age of AI: A conversation with Meghan O’Gieblyn and Davis Schneiderman
Lake Forest College welcomes one of the nation’s thought leaders of Artificial Intelligence.
Meghan O’Gieblyn will discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and humanity with Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities 
and Professor of English Davis Schneiderman at 4 pm. on Monday, February 24 in Brown Hall on Middle Campus. O’Gieblyn wrote God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor and the Search for Meaning.
A writer and essayist, O’Gieblyn explores the urgent questions of identity, knowledge, and the purpose of life in an age shaped by materialism, technology, and artificial intelligence. With philosophical rigor, personal insight, and a touch of irony, she offers a thoughtful guide to rethinking existence in a rapidly evolving world.
Schneiderman brings significant expertise to this discussion. He is the Principal Investigator for a $1.2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation for the HUMAN project (Humanities Understanding of the Machine-Assisted Nexus), a multi-year initiative exploring artificial intelligence from a humanities perspective.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Faculty Conversations
9:00 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Mohr Student Center, Middle Campus
“Faculty Conversations” celebrate the rich intersections between the humanities and other academic disciplines. During these dynamic, informal discussions, faculty explore the vital role of the humanities in their research and teaching, creating meaningful dialogues that inspire both current and future students.
Session I: 9–9:50 a.m.
- Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Brian McCammack and Assistant Professor of Spanish Marilén Loyola: Race, infrastructure, and environmental justice (Skybox)
Session II: 10–10:50 a.m.
- Professor of English Joshua Corey and Professor of Psychology Matt Kelley (Pierson Rooms)
- Assistant Professor of Art Susy Bielak and Profesor of English Ben GoluboffB Collaboration and interdisciplinarity (Skybox)
Session III: 11–11:50 a.m.
- Assistant Professor of Mathematics Andrew Gard and Associate Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Chloe Johnston: On human flourishing: Perspectives from mathematics and the theater (Pierson Rooms)
- Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Benacka and Lecturer in Biology Lynette Foss: Let’s talk about sex in the US: Examining the persistence of misogyny in public health messaging through the ages (Skybox)
Session IV: 1:30–2:20 p.m.
- Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics Sara Jamshidi, Ricardo Salazar Ordonez ’25, and Assistant Professor of Art History Kimiko Matsumura (Pierson Rooms)
- Professor of Spanish Gizella Meneses, Associate Professor of French Tessa Sermet and Assistant Professor of African American Studies and English RL Watson: Fiction and social commentary: What sci-fi, horror, and crime novels unveil (Skybox)
Humanities Alumni Panel
Noon – 12:45 p.m.
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Lake Forest College alumni will come together for an engaging 45-minute discussion, delving into the impact of a humanities education on the professional journey. Hear fresh insights into how the humanities can shape career exploration and professional success. Panelists will also discuss the future of work through the lens of the liberal arts and consider how the humanities have become even more crucial in an era of generative AI and technological advancement.
Presented by the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center and the Office of Admissions.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
A conversation with author, essayist Meghan O'Gieblyn
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Renowned writer Meghan O’Gieblyn and Professor Davis Schneiderman will enter into a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence and humanity. They will explore urgent questions of identity, knowledge, and meaning in a rapidly evolving technological age.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
The Ethics of Anthropomorphism:
A Panel Discussion with Meghan O’Gieblyn
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Join esteemed faculty members—Professor of Religion Ben Zeller, Assistant Director of Computer Science and Mathematics Sara Jamshidi, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science Glenn Adelson—along with special guest Meghan O’Gieblyn, for a thought-provoking panel discussion on The Ethics of Anthropomorphism.