Willamette University Russian Program

05/17/2022

Looking for some inspiration?
Check out Willamette grad Henry Veitenhans’s documentary chronicling his race to Alaska.

https://youtu.be/9IV2lgLGTt8

Henry just graduated with a major in International Studies and a minor in Russian studies.
Our students are remarkable!

"Back in 2019, Willamette University student Henry Veitenhans ’22 and a small team had just embarked on an adventure unlike any other — the Race to Alaska, a 750-mile race from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska."

Team North2Alaska is a student racing team based out of Port Townsend, WA. Originally launched as a community-based senior project to fulfill graduation requ...

05/17/2022

Поздравляю!! Congratulations to our graduates!

Jessie Radcliffe, double major in Russian Studies and Classics.
David Amur, major in Physics and minor in Russian Studies
Henry Vietenhans, major in International Studies and minor in Russian studies
R.J. Richard, double major in Economics and Philosophy and minor in Russian studies.

They have all shown incredible resilience and dedication.

Молодцы!

04/30/2022

Today I had the pleasure of inducting four new members into Dobro Slovo, the National Slavic Honor Society. They were joined by three recent inductees. So proud of all of them!

04/16/2022

A few students and (an artistically challenged) instructor in the Russian Culture and Civilization class participated in the action today in support of Ukraine.
Нет войне!

03/08/2022

Please join us for a peace vigil for Ukraine on Wednesday, 3/9. 5pm on Jackson Plaza.

02/27/2022

From Prof. Sarah Clovis Bishop:

I am horrified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I am in awe of the Ukrainian resistance. My heart breaks for all Ukrainians.

It also breaks for the Russian people: young men who have been conscripted and forced to fight and may die for this illegal war; citizens, many of whom are actively opposed to the war, who will feel the brunt of the necessary and justified sanctions; citizens who have been misled and manipulated by Putin for years and truly believe this war is just.

I worry for my students, some who have relatives and friends actively fighting or being conscripted in Ukraine; some who feel guilty about not being there to fight; some who have friends who have been conscripted to fight for Russia; some who cannot find common ground with their parents who believe Putin's lies.

I support all who fight and speak against this unlawful aggression. And I fear for the future. Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian people will suffer tremendously. As will we all. The sooner we can stop the war, the more we can alleviate the suffering.

02/21/2022

Join the Russian club to celebrate Maslenitsa, the Slavic Mardi Gras!

Eat sweet treats, burn effigies of winter, and enjoy each other's company!

Ford South Patio and Ford 102
Tuesday, March 2nd
4:00-5:00pm

02/03/2022

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is so disheartening; I find it hard to talk about. Russians and Ukrainians share a great deal, and this show, featuring the Portland-based restaurant Kachka and one of my undergraduate professors, Darra Goldstein, reminds us of the joy of connection we feel through food and culture. Wishing all of us well.

In Portland, Oregon, a long-misunderstood culture of Russia and the Ukraine finds a fresh audience and following at Kachka, a restaurant that celebrates both...

11/16/2021

The Russian Prosecutor General is trying to liquidate Memorial, a non-governmental and non-commercial human and civil rights society established in the 80s with the help of Andrei Sakharov. If you are interested in supporting Memorial, consider signing the petition linked below. (English translation is available at the link.)

Нужно еще 23 740 подписей!

11/11/2021

С днём рождения, Фёдор Михайлович!
It’s Dostoevsky’s 200th birthday!

Join a virtual celebration hosted by the North American Dostoevsky Society at 4pm:

The North American Dostoevsky Society invites you to a multimedia extravaganza birthday party for Fyodor Mikhailovich, to take place on Zoom on Nov 11 2021 at 4pm PST/7pm EST. The festivities will …

10/09/2021

Masha Gessen, who visited Willamette in 2017, on Muratov’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The co-winner, Dmitry Muratov, is the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, which has lost more journalists to murder than any other Russian news outlet.

05/17/2021

Congratulations to Cassie! And to all of the Russian minors and other students who have explored things Russian. It was wonderful to connect with some of you in person today (Tatiana, Leah, Julia, Layce...) and to see the rest of you via your Zoom appearances (nice cigar, Oscar). Please share your photos and keep in touch!