PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The University of Pikeville has announced that Hannah Freeman, Ph.D., professor of English and director of experiential learning, will serve as chair of the Division of Humanities effective August 2019. Freeman was selected for the leadership role following a thorough selection process within the College of Arts and Sciences’ Division of Humanities. She will succeed Patricia Kowalok, MFA, professor of art, who led the division for three years.
“We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Kowalok for her leadership as chair of the Division of Humanities,” said UPIKE Provost Lori Werth, Ph.D. “Her efforts and commitment in this role benefitted the university in innumerable ways. We look forward to fostering the continued development of the liberal arts under the guidance of Dr. Freeman.”
Freeman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in English from Western Carolina University, and a doctoral degree in English literature and a certificate in gender and women’s studies from the University of Kentucky. She has taught at UPIKE for nine years and has been instrumental in growing the university’s experiential learning program, which allows students to engage in learning experiences out of the classroom both nationally and internationally. Freeman looks forward to embarking on her new post at UPIKE.
“I am honored to be asked to lead this talented division,” said Freeman. “Humanities houses beloved professors on campus who often make the greatest impact on students’ lives. Together, we will continue to grow our program by encouraging curiosity and the love of learning in our students.”
UPIKE’s Division of Humanities includes programs in art, English, film and media arts, music, religion, Spanish and theatre. In the spring 2019 semester, Freeman will begin transitioning into her role by meeting with Humanities faculty to learn how to best support their programs, assisting with developing the division’s plans for the 2019-2020 academic year, and gaining insight from Kowalok and other division chairs.
“Since its founding, University of Pikeville has focused on providing students with a strong liberal arts background where they learn not only a profession but also how to think critically, solve problems and become leaders in their communities,” said Werth. “At UPIKE, the liberal arts are more than a handful of classes students take; they are a philosophy that underpins our entire institution. Dr. Freeman has demonstrated her commitment to the liberal arts in her classes, in her approach to student mentorship and through peer collaboration. She will bring this passion and dedication to UPIKE as the incoming Humanities Division Chair.”
For more information about UPIKE and the university’s academic programs, visit www.upike.edu.
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