Dear Colleagues,

With deep sorrow I write you that Professor James R. Millar, our dear colleague and a stalwart pillar of our organization, died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday, November 30th, 2008 at his home in Washington, D.C. From 1989 to 2001, Jim directed the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University, where he was also Professor of Economics and International Affairs until he settled into a very active retirement in 2004. In addition to his many achievements as a scholar, administrator, and editor of the Slavic Review and Problems of Post-Communism, Jim served AAASS as President, Vice President, and Treasurer. He only stepped down from this last position in summer 2008 after his cancer diagnosis. Jim helped guide our organization through many rough passages over the years. For recognition of his extraordinary service to the field as a scholar, leader, teacher, and mentor, the AAASS bestowed on Jim Millar the Distinguished Contributions to Slavic Studies award, our highest honor, in 2006.

We will be publishing a set of tributes to Jim -- on his scholarly work and his service to AAASS -- in the upcoming January issue of NewsNet.

Condolences to Jim's family may be sent to his sister, Carolyn Henderson at 1221 US Hwy 181 N., Floresville, TX 78114; his daughter Mira Brownfield at 168 16th Ave. San Francisco, CA 94118; and his wife Gera Millar at 2801 New Mexico Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. A memorial service is planned for January 2009.

We will miss Jim and his clear-eyed wisdom, wit, and big Texan generosity very much.

Beth Holmgren

President, AAASS, 2008

There will be a memorial service for Jim followed by a reception with his family, friends and colleagues at GW on Friday January 23, 2009, from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Lindner Family Commons, 6th floor, the Elliott School, 1957 E St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052. RSVP to ieresgwu@gwu.edu.

Jim’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to either the Millar Family Fund at GWU or the C&O Canal Association in Glen Echo, Maryland.

For GW, the check should be made out to GWU, with Millar Family Fund in the memo line. Checks should be sent to Suzanne Stephenson, IERES, 1957 E St., N.W., Suite 412, Washington, D.C. 20052.

For the C&O Canal: CO Canal Association, PO Box 366, Glen Echo, MD 20812-0366. In memo line of the check: in memory of James Millar.