We are delighted to welcome the newest addition to our Board, Jo Young. A vivacious learner who can bring the fun (and spice!) to just about any situation, Jo is a regular participant in Merlin activities. Creative and hard-working, Jo has a background that will make your head spin. It’s so diverse! We are fortunate to have her on our team and to be working with her to make a positive impact in our community! Learn more about Jo here!
GRANT AWARD for public philosophy “BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH LAUGHTER” project An interactive public philosophy program with philosopher and comedian, Rodney Norman, that explores the relationship between comedy, community, and the good life. We are so excited about this project and to have the support of The Philosophy Learning & Teaching Organization. Thank you so much,…
What are the qualities of an excellent student? Or, as ancient Greek philosophers would put it, what are the virtues, or excellences, which belong to students in general, and especially to students of philosophy? In this evening’s Zoom program led by community philosopher David Nowakowski we examined some passages on this theme, written by thinkers in the Hellenistic philosophy tradition, and engaged in lively conversation about the goals and methods of education, how virtues correspond, and how these apply in our lives today. Access resources here!
Thank you to General Manager John Lytle & his team for partnering up with us for a fourth year in a row…supporting community and philosophy. We are honored for your community sponsorship!
We’re excited to announce and introduce to you our first ever high school Student Scholar Fellow, Gavin Payne. Learn more otu gavin and what we’ll be working o together this year!
STUDENT SCHOLAR FELLOW U of M PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDED 2026-2027 FELLOWSHIP We are delighted to announce and introduce you to our 2026-2027 Student Scholar Fellow, Jess Holmes. Over the next year, Jess will be assisting us with various philosophy in the community projects, including our 2026 Art as Transformation & 2027 Community Hubs projects,…
Merlin awarded $900 grant from HAF for “Building Community through Laughter” project coming to the Ming Theater in Spring 2026. Learn more here!
Inspired by our love of community & our belief in the importance of good reasoning, our Community Hubs project re-envisions the academy by re-centering the community as a place of learning. We are delighted to announce that this dream project has finally got its wings thanks to Nava Gardens!
An interactive public philosophy program that explores the relationship between comedy, community, and the good life. Featuring a live comedy performance & post-performance talk-back with professional comedian and philosopher Rodney Norman, audience members will be invited to consider themes like identity, perception, courage, love, friendship, justice, happiness, and community. Learn more here!
2025 Reeder’s Alley Summer Series Reeder’s Alley Summer Series Highlights 2025 marked the second year of our live music & community-oriented summer series in historic Reeder’s Alley. Check out some of the highlights below. Our 2025 Musicians Thank you to all of our wonderful musicians and songwriters for putting on such amazing shows for the…