Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

A national leader for the study of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe since 1965

Check out the Fall 2021 CREES Courier (Newsletter) which includes news, engaging articles, upcoming events, and a message from Dr. Erik Scott, CREES Director!

CREES NEWS UPDATE: Please join us in congratulating Dr. Jaroslaw Piekałkiewicz, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Russian and East European Studies. He will be awarded the Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of the Brave) by the Polish government. Piekałkiewicz earned the award for his bravery during World War II, but is only receiving it this year after a long delay caused by the tumultuous events that followed the war.

After many years, his nomination for the Krzyz Walecznych was discovered in the archives of the Polish Ministry of Defense, which delegated the Polish Consulate in Houston to present the physical award to Piekałkiewicz. The award ceremony will take place at the Piekałkiewicz residence in Lawrence, Kansas on July 24, 2021, which will be Dr. Piekałkiewicz’s 95th birthday. Members of the press are invited to attend.