Supporter Spotlight: Chris & Perry Hammock

Indiana Humanities thrives because of the generosity of our donors — individuals and corporate supporters alike — who help us bring the humanities to life across the state. Their contributions fuel public programs, fund grants, and provide Indiana communities with meaningful opportunities to think, read, and talk. To celebrate their impact, we’re spotlighting the donors who make our work possible, going behind the gift and sharing their stories.   

For our new Supporter Spotlight series, we had the opportunity to connect with Chris and Perry Hammock — members of our Meredith Nicholson Society, which is a special subset of our donor base that you can learn more about here. We’ve developed a series of five questions for our Society members to better understand their dedication to supporting the humanities. 

Why do the humanities matter to you? 

Perry: The humanities teach us about ourselves and how we interact with others. Now, perhaps more than ever, the ability to clearly explain our ideas, ideals, and intentions are critical to society. 

What’s your favorite humanities discipline (and why)? 

Perry: For me, it’s linguistics. How we choose to communicate, the words we use, and the meaning we glean from words all fascinate me. 

Chris: From an early age, I’ve been fascinated by the stories of people and places. To know the details of what happened before and after an event or what actions shaped a personality brings clarity to me. I became a history teacher to investigate that further—and to share that curiosity with students. 

What are you feeling curious about lately? 

Perry: We are in the middle of a “travel year” so intercultural communication is in my thoughts. Having meaningful conversations with speakers of other languages is both challenging and a little exciting. 

What’s your all-time favorite Indiana Humanities experience? 

Perry: Next Indiana Campfires by far! We enjoyed participating in more than 20 campfires and truly enjoyed the blending of literature, observation, and conversation. 

Chris: I agree with Perry. Next Indiana Campfires was the best! Along with the activities he mentions, there was that history connection everywhere. IH staffers always had an eye on the historical context of every choice of location. 

Why do you support Indiana Humanities? 

Perry: We insure those things that matter to us. Investing time, talent, and treasure will enable Indiana Humanities to provide outstanding programming — for us, and generations to follow. 

Chris: Again, my career has always focused on young people. Supporting Indiana Humanities is insurance that the future of intellectual thought in Indiana will be supported.