Mission and History
MISSION
The Hume Writing Center (HWC) works with all Stanford writers to help them develop rich and varied abilities in every aspect of writing and communication. In free one-on-one sessions, HWC writing consultants help students get started on assignments; address and overcome writer's block; learn strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading; and understand academic conventions in their fields. This year marks our 10th Anniversary as an institution at Stanford.
Whether students are working on a PWR or IHUM essay, a writing project in the major or minor, an Honors thesis, a creative project, digital media assignment, IntroSem application essay, fellowship abstract, or job application letter, the HWC consultant can help them develop effective strategies and sharpen skills to improve their writing.
Our main methods are one-on-one tutoring sessions, small group consultations, and workshops. We also foster a lively culture of writing on the Stanford campus by sponsoring writing boot-camps and writing groups for graduate and undergraduate students as well as publications, by hosting presentations of student research, and by bringing together faculty with students and their parents for celebrations of writing done in our community. We cooperate with Writing in the Major and Honors programs to offer resources to faculty across the campus as they teach writing in a variety of courses.
HISTORY
The Hume Writing Center was founded in 2001. Initially called the "Stanford Writing Center," its name was changed to the Hume Writing Center to honor the generous donation provided by George and Leslie Hume. We provide over 6000 tutoring sessions a year to undergraduate and graduate students.
For a brief summary of our history and mission, please watch the YouTube video of the two founding directors of the Hume Writing Center.
You can also learn more about the Hume Writing Center in the following articles:
"Stanford Writing Center" Praxis: A Writing Center Journal 4.1 (Fall 2006). Web.
Lindsay Schauer, "Giving: Project WRITE" Gentry, June 2008: 142.
HWC Programs
