About the College of Arts and Sciences
The Heart of the University of Louisville!
As UofL's largest academic unit, the College of Arts & Sciences offers a diverse range of opportunities from dozens of departments and programs in the natural and physical sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, and the arts and humanities. A degree from Arts & Sciences provides a solid foundation upon which to build future academic, professional and personal successes.
Our students learn how to think critically; but they don’t just think, they do. They explore, create, research, communicate, collaborate, and meaningfully engage in the world around them. As a result, graduates of UofL’s College of Arts & Sciences are adaptable, innovative, and highly attuned problem-solvers. They are lifelong learners who are well-equipped for the work force and primed to make significant contributions to their chosen professions and respective communities.
Read more about some of our most successful students, faculty and programs:
The Black Six
The trial of the Black Six was an important part of Louisville’s history and was one of the first cases of its kind, repeated in cities nationwide as white officials sought to hold Black people responsible for destroying property in mostly spontaneous fits of rage - while neglecting to address underlying issues that led to the eruptions.
UofL students gain experience, drive change in Louisville’s affordable housing arena
University of Louisville social scientist Lauren Heberle, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, and UofL students prepare to advocate for housing changes in Louisville.
UofL students spread their wings during a summer of science
The Summer Research Opportunity Program is one of several directed through UofL’s Center for Engaged Learning.
UofL researcher wins prestigious award for energy innovation
A University of Louisville researcher has won a prestigious award for his work to better understand chemical reactions — work that could help produce more efficient, cleaner and safer energy.
UofL alumnus nets Pulitzer Prize for work on opinion series
“Congratulations.” At first it was that simple text without context from someone that puzzled Michael Lindenberger that surprising day, but the unexpected message soon was reinforced by an excited call from his boss. He was working from home, as were several other co-workers, when the journalists learned they were Pulitzer Prize winners.
Nine UofL scholars win Fulbright awards for 2022-2023
The University of Louisville announced June 30 that nine scholars have been awarded 2022-2023 Fulbright Awards. They will travel to Jordan, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Thailand, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
Two retiring faculty members reflect on how they changed UofL’s graphic design program
If you put Steve Skaggs and Leslie Friesen in the same room, chances are they’ll tag team entire conversations with enthusiasm, finishing each other’s sentences and frequently lobbing compliments back and forth.
Grant allows UofL eating disorders prevention program to expand
A University of Louisville-based program for high schoolers aimed at preventing eating disorders (EDs) and promoting a healthy body culture is planning to expand to serve more diverse student populations after receiving funding from the Jewish Heritage Fund (JHF).
UofL-led study finds correlations between mindset and adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures
From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that some people adopted recommended safety protocols to help them avoid infection more readily than others. To better understand the psychological factors underlying this commitment to individual prevention measures, a team of psychology researchers led by Michael Cunningham at the University of Louisville surveyed several groups of people about their attitudes and responses.
Building the force: ROTC grad, Guardsman achieves goals
Matt Payne can take pride in several accomplishments celebrated this spring. The summa cum laude graduate became a second lieutenant with the Army ROTC commissioning ceremony in May that preceded commencement.
UofL, Kentucky School for Blind team up for archaeological dig project
Students and researchers from the University of Louisville are helping with an archaeological dig at a site of the former segregated school on the Louisville campus of the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB).
UofL astrophysics research-backed startup acquired
A machinery monitoring technology startup backed by University of Louisville astrophysics research and founded by a UofL alumnus has been acquired.
Three UofL juniors awarded Goldwater scholarships
Three University of Louisville juniors conducting undergraduate research in breast cancer, galaxies and robotics have won 2022 Barry Goldwater Scholarships, marking the largest number of recipients from UofL for this award in a single year.
UofL astronomer and team discover most distant megamaser yet found – 5 billion light years away
Benne W. Holwerda, associate professor in the University of Louisville Department of Physics and Astronomy, and an international team of researchers have discovered a powerful megamaser – a radio-wavelength laser emission usually indicative of colliding galaxies – that is the most distant such megamaser found so far.
UofL grad who helped desegregate campus housing went on to become one of the first African American social workers in Kentucky
In late April 1969, a group of students occupied then-president Woodrow Strickler’s office demanding more efforts to recruit minority students and teachers, among other things. It was shortly before this time when the late Gwendol Fay (Brown) McCaskill helped integrate the on-campus dorms.
UofL professor shares endangered language books worldwide
Hilaria Cruz, an assistant professor of comparative humanities, began teaching a UofL course in endangered languages in 2019. Students helped her bring a very personal project to fruition at the end of 2021.
UofL alum takes history degree to historic houses
Throughout October, the city of Louisville gets to wow residents and tourists with its rich history, both haunted and otherwise. For Chris Church ’16, he gets to wow residents and tourists with rich history throughout the entire year.
Covi Award winner inspired by late mentor, professor
One of the scholarships available in the Hite Art Institute in the College of Arts & Sciences is the Dario Covi Award, named for the beloved professor emeritus and art historian who was an important part of Hite for 50 years.
New director of UofL’s Anne Braden Institute wants more people to join ‘long chain of struggle’
Michael “Brandon” McCormack has been named director of UofL’s Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research. He is the institute’s first Black director, replacing co-founder and outgoing director Cate Fosl, who will stay engaged in the institute as a faculty fellow.
