The Endowed Wise Humanities Enrichment Fund
As a parting gift, retired Comparative Humanities Professor Elaine Wise and her husband Barry have established an endowed scholarship in honor of her long tenure and enduring commitment to the University of Louisville. This endowed scholarship will be used to support one or more undergraduate and/or graduate students enrolled in programs within the Division of Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences. This endowed fund will ensure that Elaine's legacy at UofL is recognized through student scholarship in perpetuity.
Ways to Give
Online Giving
The easiest way to give is via this secure online portal, managed by UofL Advancement.
Give via Payroll Deduction
UofL employees can complete and return this form to make tax-deductible donations to the university.
About Professor Elaine Wise and her Career of Service
Prof. Elaine Wise’s service during her time at the University of Louisville is legendary and spans a period of over 50 years. Her devotion to the University's mission has manifested itself time and again through her contributions to her department (formerly Division of Humanities), the College, the University, the profession and the larger community. Below is a list of some, but by no means all, of her notable contributions:
Service to the Department/Division
Prof. Wise served as Chair of the Division of Humanities from 1997-2016. During this 20-year period, she played a major role in increasing the number of faculty in the Division and implementing the Ph.D. program, all while strengthening offerings in the Humanities, Religious Studies, Jewish Studies, Linguistics, and Film. While chair, Prof. Wise served on a large number of committees, including selection committees for the Bingham Professor and Justis Bier Professor. She worked with the development office to secure funds for the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence endowed chair in Judaic Studies. Most recently, she was a catalyst for the conversion of the Division of Humanities to the Department of Comparative Humanities. Letters of support also note the important role that Prof. Wise played in mentoring both faculty and students, an activity that takes a great deal of commitment and is often overlooked.
Service to the College
Prof. Wise's service to the College demonstrates her passion for arts and humanities. She was a member of the Arts and Culture Partnership Coordinating Committee and the Medieval-Renaissance Faculty Consortium and has helped coordinate activities for the Frederick Hart and Will in the Ville First Folio exhibits. Elaine has served on two A&S Dean search committees, the A&S Curriculum Committee, and the Decanal Review Committee, among others.
Service to the University
Prof. Wise represented A&S on the Faculty Senate for over 20 years (1993-2015). She served on the Executive Committee and the Library Committee and was instrumental in the University's increase in support for part-time faculty. Additionally, she has served as Faculty Athletic Representative since
1998, during which time the University has been a member of several different athletic conferences. She chairs the Committee on Academic Performance, which addresses academic issues for athletes. She has promoted mentorship activities by pairing athletes with faculty and initiated the Red and Black Scholar-Athlete Mentor
Service to the Profession and Community
Prof. Wise's service to her profession includes many scholarly presentations on women's roles and activities and Medieval and Renaissance studies. She has received a large number of honors and awards, including the Trustees Award in 2005-06, the Tower Award for Women Leaders in 2009, and the National Women in Sport Award in 2015. Community awards include the Junior League of Louisville's Community Service Award.
Prof. Wise worked very long hours at the University carry out her teaching, administrative, and service responsibilities. Yet she always managed to do all that while keeping her door open to students and her peers.
Hers truly has been a “Career of Service.”
