Sometimes the path to lifelong learning begins with something simple, a new class, a spark of curiosity, or the willingness to try something different. For Graham supporter Dianne Blanco, it began with a course on Macbeth.
Having already taken writing courses through the Graham School, Dianne enrolled in the Macbeth course as an opportunity to revisit a classic text and explore it alongside other curious learners. What she didn’t expect was just how transformative the experience would be.
“I fell in love with the course,” she says.
The course opened the door to the kind of learning environment that defines Graham: thoughtful conversation, diverse perspectives, and a community of people who genuinely enjoy wrestling with big ideas together.
“My instructor, Joe Alulis, was fabulous,” Dianne says. “He was down to earth and allowed us to do most of the speaking while helping us along and coaching us. Everyone in the class participated in lively discussions and had a good time debating while remaining respectful.”
That spirit of open inquiry and shared discovery left a lasting impression. What began as a single class quickly turned into a deeper journey through the liberal arts.
A Personal Journey Through the Liberal Arts
As Dianne continued her studies, she began to see how much the Graham experience was shaping her perspective, not only as a learner, but as a person. She completed the Basic Program and continued exploring her interests through Open Enrollment courses.
Before coming to Graham, Dianne had built a career in business and the sciences. While she had always taken liberal arts courses along the way, she says the depth of study she found at Graham was different. “I just wasn’t as wide or as deep as I am now,” she reflects.
I feel like I’m on a personal journey where I’ve acquired better tools to become not only a better writer but also a better human and citizen. – Dianne Blanco
Through close reading, discussion, and reflection, Dianne found herself engaging more deeply with the human condition and the ideas that shape our world. That experience inspired her to give back by supporting the Graham School’s 2026 Giving Day.
“I’ve read wide and deep in the human condition and I want to give that same gift to other people.”
For her, that opportunity feels especially meaningful in today’s world. The ability to think critically, listen carefully, and engage thoughtfully with complex issues is something she believes everyone deserves access to.
A Lifelong Appreciation for Liberal Arts
Dianne’s love of the liberal arts started long before she arrived at Graham, inspired by her father, who encouraged curiosity from an early age. She remembers him saying that a liberal arts education is essential because “it makes you more interesting, and it makes life more interesting.” She adds, “My liberal arts education came about as a result of having an absolutely wonderful father. I was homeschooled by him in integrity and ethics.”
When she began her studies at Graham, she quickly saw how the Basic Program built on those early lessons. “At the Graham School, I realized it was a continuation of what my father had started, with broader reading and deeper exploration.”
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Beyond the curriculum, Graham introduced her to classmates from a wide range of educational and life experiences. Their diverse perspectives enriched classroom discussions in ways she hadn’t anticipated, making the learning experience even more rewarding.
The Power of Access
Dianne’s experiences at Graham ultimately inspired her to support the Graham School through giving, particularly through scholarships that make these opportunities accessible to more learners.
Her time in the classroom showed her how valuable a range of perspectives can be, especially when learners from different backgrounds come together to explore big questions.
“I’m always floored when I find out someone is a scholarship student and how much they add,” she says. “It provides diverse worldviews and opinions, and I’m grateful for what they bring to the classroom.”
Moments like these reinforce her belief that access to liberal arts education matters, not just for individual learners, but for the richness of the entire community.
“And I want other people to have this opportunity. Plain and simple.”
A Community of Learners
One of the most meaningful aspects of Dianne’s time at Graham has been the relationships formed along the way. Even when much of her learning took place remotely, the connections with fellow students remained strong.
“In the four years of the Basic Program… I made friends even though it was online,” she says. “I kind of miss the deep friendships that I can see have formed over time.”
Those friendships, and the shared commitment to thoughtful conversation and lifelong learning, are what make the Graham community so special. They are also what Giving Day helps sustain.
Through the generosity of donors like Dianne, Graham continues to open its doors to curious minds from all walks of life. Each gift helps support the courses, discussions, and scholarship opportunities that make these transformative experiences possible.
Dianne’s journey reminds us that sometimes all it takes is one course and one moment of curiosity to spark a lifelong love of learning. Thanks to her generosity, gifts will be matched this giving day dollar for dollar up to $25,000, helping us get closer to our $100,000 goal.
Visit our giving page to learn more about supporting the Graham School. If you have any questions about giving opportunities, please contact the Graham School Advancement Team at grahamadvancement@graham.uchicago.edu.
