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The Department of Philosophy’s graduate program ranking rose three spots to 16th nationally in the Philosophical Gourmet Report. Faculty excellence was recognized in numerous specialties; the philosophy of Kant shines as the best in the U.S.

Professor Emeritus of Literature Sherley Ann Williams is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, playwright and scholar. She was recognized as one of UC San Diego’s influential voices in a recent Women’s History Month feature.

Zeinabu Irene Davis’ film “Compensation” has been added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry—a distinction that only 25 films receive each year. Davis was an inaugural fellow of the Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts.

Peter Ko started studying the cello at age 10. He is now a doctoral candidate in contemporary music and cello performance, advised by Professor Charles Curtis, as well as principal cellist for the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus.

In this UCTV episode, Professor Deborah Hertz (History) converses with Rafael Pastor on his family's history before, during, and after the Nazi occupation, centering on how his father played a major role in the cultural life of Budapest.

Mandeville Art Gallery presents a new group exhibition titled “Border Craft" featuring contemporary artists employing craft practices to address the geopolitical realities of borderland regions. The exhibit runs through June 15.

Professor of Visual Arts Grant Kester received the 2025 Franklin Jewitt Mather Award for his book "Beyond the Sovereign Self" (Duke University Press, 2023) by the College Art Association.

Associate Professor of Literature Ainsley Morse received the Distinguished Service Award by the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages.

Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance Aysan Celik is a founding member of Theatre Mitu, which was awarded the Ross Wetzsteon Obie Award for championing exploration.

Theatre and Dance MFA alum Milo Cramer won a special citation Obie for his book, lyrics, music and performance of "School Pictures" with writer's theater Playwrights Horizons.

Three students in Music—Cole Davenport, Brandon Reyes and Kristina Tran—earned first place in a contest by Youth Creating Change for their original song, "the music flows."

Visual Arts alum Carrie Mae Weems received the Illustrious Alumni Award, one of UC San Diego’s highest honors, in celebration of exceptional achievements.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History Eric Van Young died on Dec. 20, 2024. He was an internationally celebrated scholar of colonial and 19th-century Latin American history whose service to the university included interim dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. 

All are invited to join in honoring the contributions of Professor Thomas Gallant (History) upon his retirement. The conference, organized by the Institute of Arts and Humanities and Center for Hellenic Studies, will include two keynote addresses and four panel sessions.

The Institute for Practical Ethics presents Jennifer Jacquet as the 2025 keynote speaker. She will discuss what the U.S. meat industry knew about climate change, how and when they knew it, and how they responded in comparison to the oil and gas industry.

The Department of Visual Arts co-sponsors an artist talk with Mendi + Keith Obadike, coinciding with the opening of their exhibition “The Skeuomorph” at Gallery QI—a poetic meditation on technological agency and the myths we encode in our machines.

Undergraduate students in Music present an inaugural festival called “The Arcades.” For a span of six hours, over 300 musicians will perform a range of genres—from opera to hardcore metal—throughout the Conrad Prebys Music Center. For some performers, it will be their first live audience debut. 

On Pointe with William Forsythe

Pioneering contemporary ballet choreographer William Forsythe led a special workshop with Theatre and Dance students as part of the annual Kyoto Prize Symposium. Forsythe is this year’s Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy.

HISTORY | LITERATURE | MUSIC | PHILOSOPHY | THEATRE AND DANCE | VISUAL ARTS

ANALYTICAL WRITING PROGRAM | CENTER FOR TAIWAN STUDIES | INSTITUTE FOR PRACTICAL ETHICS

INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES | SURAJ ISRANI CENTER FOR CINEMATIC ARTS