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Rasma Karklins Elected to Latvian Parliament Professor Emertius, Rasma Karklins has been elected to the Latvian Parliament (Saeima). Frank Tachau, Oct. 19, 1929-July 23, 2010 Frank Tachau, Professor of Political
Science Emeritus, University of Illinois Chicago, passed
away on July 23, 2010, in Sykesville, Maryland. He was
born on October 19, 1929, in Braunschweig, Germany, and left
the country with his family in 1936, growing up in Chicago,
Illinois. As described by one of his students, Prof. Joel Migdal of the University of Washington, Tachau was one of the founders of the field of Middle East political science, and a key figure in moving the study of the Middle East from a purely regional specialty to one that used comparative methods in political science, placing the politics of the region in a broader perspective. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1958, Tachau taught at Purdue and Rutgers Universities and then spent the bulk of his career as Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he also served as departmental chair. He was also an Associate Member of the University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and an Adjunct Scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. In the course of his career, he received numerous honors and visiting positions, including a Fulbright Fellowship; Visiting Noted Scholar, University of British Columbia; three posts at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (e.g., the Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace); and visiting professorships in a number of Turkish universities. Tachau's well-known book, The Developing Nations: What Path to Modernization? (1972), defined many of the interests that he pursued through his career. His research built on important advances in the study of electoral politics, legislatures, parties, and democracies, applying new behavioral and institutional theories to the study of the Middle East. Three of his edited and co-edited books introduced many of the new approaches in political science to Middle East Studies: Political Elites and Political Development in the Middle East (1975); Electoral Politics in the Middle East (1980); and Political Parties of the Middle East and North Africa (1994). His own research focused first and foremost on Turkey, on which he wrote many scientific papers, as well as the book, Turkey: The Politics of Authority, Democracy, and Development (1984). Later in his life, he also researched Israeli politics, writing on the Knesset (parliament), elections, and political parties. Colleagues and students mourned the loss of their friend and mentor. Richard Johnson, Professor of Political Science Emeritus and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago (retired), praised Tachau as epitomizing "the really 'good citizen'". He "carried on a successful professional career without shortchanging his family, his music, and many other activities outside the insular world of the academy. His was indeed an unusually rich life that enhanced the lives of many." Tachau's family and friends recalled the father, husband, and community leader he was. "In his political passions, his international view, his love of music and family, Frank had an immense impact. His convictions about right, justice, and beauty made him a giant." Prof. Tachau leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Paula (nee Kuhn), 5 children, 15 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, a brother and sister. Contributions in his memory may be made to Americans for Peace Now, The New Israel Fund, Beth Emet, Evanston, or a charity of choice. Carla Tachau Lawrence, daughter of Frank Tachau President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania Visits UIC President Adamkus is a former president of the Republic of Lithuania, having served in this position for ten years (1998-2003 and 2004-2009). During his administration, Lithuania joined both NATO and the European Union. President Adamkus has received numerous awards and recognitions, among them the 2007 "European of the Year" award. He has also been awarded over twenty honorary doctorates from around the world. President Adamkus was born in Lithuania, but emigrated to the U.S. after World War II. Prior to becoming president, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Yue Zhang Wins Norton Long Young Scholars Award
Department of Political Science UIC home | LAS home Copyright © 2012 Department of Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago. All rights reserved. |
Norton Long Young
Scholars awards are given by the American Political Science
Association to scholars who have completed their Ph.D.
within the last three years in Urban Politics. 