The Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute
Presents the 2025-2026 BIG THOUGHT Series
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
The founders of this country made an interesting and far-reaching decision when they converted John Locke’s description of inalienable human rights from “life, liberty, and property” to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the document that declared that right, we will spend the year exploring what the pursuit of happiness has meant historically, what it means today, and whether or not this pursuit is making us, or our shared union more perfect.
All programs of the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute are free and open to the public and may be attended in person or via Zoom.
For further reading and resources related to this series visit The Geisel Library Companion Guide.
The Past is never dead. It’s not even past.
Schedule of Events
Thursday September 25th at 4:30 p.m. in the Melucci Auditorium
FALL KEYNOTE Lecture:
Liberal Education and the Crisis of Happiness
Professor Peter Josephson, Politics Department
Thursday November 6th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
WORKSHOP:
Pursuing Happiness by Finding Your Voice
Suzanne Delle, MFA, CRSE Lab Artist Fellow
Thursday February 12th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
LECTURE
Public Education, Human Knowledge, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Professor Dianna Terrell, Education
Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Melucci Auditorium
Spring Keynote Lecture
Notes on Promissory Notes: America’s Ongoing Pursuit of Happiness
Scott Carter, Host of the NPR Network’s Ye Gods with Scott Carter Podcast
Thursday, March 26th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
panel
The Female Happiness Paradox
Student Panel, Intercultural Center
Thursday, April 9th at 4:30 p.m. in the Melucci Auditorium
Book and Film Talkback
Borges and Me: The Pursuit of Meaning
Jay Parini, Author and Teacher, Middlebury College