James Madison College is proud to announce events honoring Martha Brill Olcott, a pioneering scholar in Russian and Eurasian Studies. All are welcome to attend and pay tribute to her legacy through interdisciplinary dialogue and the advancement of understanding in this pivotal region.
Academic Symposium on Russian and Eurasian Studies
Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the JMC Library (332 Case Hall) Leading scholars and practitioners from the field will explore critical issues shaping the region. Panelists include faculty members from MSU, Harvard and the University of Kansas. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions on political, economic and cultural transformations across Russia and Eurasia, with a focus on contemporary challenges and historical perspectives. Learn more via JMC Events >>
Celebration of Life
Sept. 21, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Graduate Hotel (133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing) This event brings together friends, colleagues and students to commemorate Dr. Olcott’s remarkable contributions to Eurasian studies and to celebrate her enduring impact on the field. The program will include personal tributes, reflections on her scholarly achievements, and shared memories of her life and work. Register to attend via Eventbrite >>
Olcott, a part-time professor in James Madison College, passed away earlier this year surrounded by family. She was a leading scholar of nationality issues in the USSR, as well as broader issues of Soviet governance and policy questions. She is known for her many works on Central Asia, including her authoritative book on Kazakhstan.
In 2011, Olcott visited MSU to teach a course on post-Soviet foreign policy and continued on as a part-time visiting professor until her unexpected passing earlier this year.
During her time at the university, Olcott helped to establish The Living Archive, a grant-funded JMC digital archive that preserves Soviet-era newspapers, political pamphlets, videos and personal ephemera. In addition to her impact in Madison, Olcott was also a member of the Muslim Studies faculty, where she worked with Dr. Mohammad Khalil. They were the recipients of two major Templeton Religion Trust grants.