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In Memorium: James Scanlan

November 4, 2016

In Memorium: James Scanlan

Close of man's face, smiling, wearing glasses

Professor and former Director of the Center for Slavic and East European Studies at Ohio State University James (Jim) Scanlan passed away on October 28, 2016. Professor Scanlan joined Ohio State in 1971, teaching in the Department of Philosophy. Prior to joining Ohio State, Professor Scanlan had held several fellowships and teaching positions, including at Goucher College and the University of Kansas. During his time at Goucher college, Scanlan became interested in the development of Marxism in the Soviet Union, the starting point of his growing interest in Russia and the Soviet Union. At the University of Kansas, Jim headed the Center for Soviet and East European Studies. From 1988-1991, he headed the Ohio State Center for Slavic and East European Studies and was instrumental in helping the Center to regain its full Title VI NRC funding. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Jim was known not only for his scholarship but his warm demeanour. Most recently, his research and writing had been focused on Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.  His full obituary can be found on Schoedinger’s website. At this time, his family is still determining plans for a possible memorial gathering in 2017. However, any of his colleagues or former students who will be attending ASEEES and that would like to assemble for a brief, informal memorial gathering may email Eileen Kunkler directly to find a time and place to gather.