From the classics to the cutting edge, the Department of Slavic and East European
Languages and Cultures (SEELC) continues to demonstrate excellence through the
achievements of its faculty, staff and students. It is my pleasure to be a part of a vibrant
community that advances innovative teaching, meaningful research and impactful
public engagement.
A highlight of Autumn 2026 was the inaugural Love of Languages 5K Run/Walk,
supported by a major Mellon Foundation grant and drawing more than 700
participants. SEELC was well represented! The Biannual George Kalbouss Innovative
Approaches in Slavic Studies Lecture featured Dr. Sarah Phillips (Indiana University).
Phillips discussed her recent book, Kurt Vonnegut in the USSR (Bloomsbury), a
fascinating account of Cold War politics through the popular engagement with and
translation of Vonnegut’s writing in the USSR. Later in the term, we will host Dr. Cate
Reilly (Duke University) for the annual Hongor Oulanoff Lecture in Russian Literature.
In the Spring we launch new courses, including Manufacturing Prague, a
cross-disciplinary course with Engineering with a study abroad component, Russian
Landscapes, and Russian with AI: Mastery Through Technology. Excitingly, we also will
search for a new faculty member in Environmental Humanities.