Why Notre Dame Still Believes in the Liberal Arts, with Dean Kenneth Scheve (Ep. 47)

In an age of artificial intelligence, rapid change, and global uncertainty, Kenneth Scheve ’90, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, believes the liberal arts are not becoming less relevant—they are becoming more essential. At Notre Dame, he’s building on the University’s tradition of educating both the heart and the mind while preparing students to think deeply, engage new ideas, and lead with purpose.Join us for this episode of For Good as Dean Scheve reflects on the enduring role of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame, the College’s growing commitment to global education and research that serves the common good, and why a liberal arts education remains one of the best foundations for leadership and service in a changing world.0:00 – The story behind O'Shaughnessy Great Hall4:45 – The transformative journey of a Notre Dame student6:38 – Returning to Notre Dame to lead the College of Arts and Letters10:42 – Notre Dame's commitment to the Humanities13:34 – How the Humanities prepare students for lives of purpose17:44 – Why critical thinking matters more than ever in the age of AI21:33 – The importance of global education23:39 – Addressing society's biggest challenges through research28:49 – A hopeful vision for Notre Dame's future