Save the Villa Spelman

I believe the planned sale of the Villa Spelman should be stopped immediately. The Villa is the home of one of the finest and most significant programs in Renaissance studies in the world. Hundreds of scholars have presented cutting-edge research at the Italian Studies Seminar, a weekly program that is renowned throughout Italy and known to all Renaissance scholars. As such, the program has brought the Johns Hopkins University into the limelight and played a crucial role in establishing the universitys reputation as one of the finest in the field in Renaissance studies. Hundreds of Hopkins graduate students have benefited from attending and presenting at the seminars, at which celebrated international scholars have presented. This seminar has provided a major forum for established and up-and-coming scholars from Italy, Europe, North America and Australia. This dialogue among scholars of diverse nationalities is one of the Villa Spelmans most important achievements: a long-sighted vision that recognizes the benefits and central importance of international scholarly discussion in an increasingly global world. More recently the university has introduced an undergraduate program that represents an important opportunity for American students to gain a deep understanding and appreciation of Italian culture and society (both contemporary and historical).

The celebrated international reputation of Renaissance Studies at Johns Hopkins depends upon its association with the Villa Spelman. When the Spelmans gave their home as a gift to the university in the 1970s they recognized the potential of the Villa as a site for intellectual exchange among scholars of different nationalities, and therefore appropriately administered by the first research university in the United States.

At a time when Humanities programs worldwide are facing increasing challenges, please save the Villa Spelman and keep this intellectual and cultural treasure for the benefit of future generations of Hopkins scholars and students.