Times are always exciting at REEI, but this fall seems especially busy and vibrant! With Russia-U.S. relations taking such twists and turns, REEI’s mission to advance scholarship, teaching, and K-12 outreach on the REE region is more important than ever. The growth of the Russian Studies Workshop (RSW), an initiative funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and directed by Professor Regina Smyth, has expanded the breadth and depth of Russian Studies at IU in many exciting directions. This fall the RSW welcomed several visiting scholars from Russia and two postdoctoral fellows in Russian Studies—Meagan Todd and Francesca Silano, both profiled in this issue of REEIfication. Two more RSW postdocs will arrive from Russia for the spring semester. In August, REEI also welcomed an incoming class of nine M.A. students whose topical interests range from Russia-China relations, to business in Serbia and Russia, to disability issues in Russia.
Director's Notebook
Our faculty and students continue to impress; the range of expertise and depth of knowledge in REE Studies at IU is truly astounding, and continues to grow. Our students benefit from the opportunity to work with top-notch specialists, and are privileged to choose from an impressive menu of classes on the region. We are grateful to the faculty who serve so generously on the various REEI committees—the executive, admissions, fellowship, and ad hoc committees. Your input is vital to REEI’s mission and we can’t thank you enough!
In the spring we were sad to say “Goodbye” to Emily Liverman, our long-time student advisor who took a job at the Kelley School of Business. We are happy, however, to welcome on board REEI’s new Student Services Coordinator, Elliott Nowacky. Elliott earned his M.A. in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. A retired U.S. Army officer, Elliott will also serve as Military Relations Coordinator for the School of Global and International Studies. I am sorry to report that at the end of November, Mary Belding is retiring after six years as REEI's Administrative/Graduate Secretary, and 17 years of service at IU. I encourage those who know Mary to send your gratitude for all her efforts with IU and REEI: mebeldin@indiana.edu. We will miss you, Mary, and wish you all the best!
Finally, please join REEI in congratulating Associate Director of REEI, Mark Trotter, who was recently awarded the REEI Distinguished Service Award in celebration of his 20 years as a Russian Instructor at Indiana's Summer Language Workshop, and in recognition of his 10 years of distinguished service as REEI Associate Director. Congratulations, Mark!