Richard Yatzeck, Professor of Russian
University of Wisconsin–Madison, B.A., Ph.D.; University of Chicago, M.A.
Interests: Comparative literature, German and English literature.
Raised on a small dairy farm with a large bookcase, then exchanging a one-room State Graded School for a small Wisconsin high school, I have seldom found myself bookless. As I made transitions from the UW in Madison, to a Fulbright year in Hamburg, to the University of Chicago and finally back to Madison, I fell in love with languages as well, German, a bit of French, then - the grand passion - Russian. Since an exchange year in '61 in Moscow I have managed three years in Russia, most happily teach the great ones: Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov, Leskov, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, am convinced that the Golden Age of Russian literature is the best school of life. I do, though - on occasion - desert my Slavs for modern English and American novels and an eclectic grab bag of lyric poetry. I also teach a course in which outdoor literature - my own publishing venue - will be read, discussed and written.
I live on nine acres of trees in an old farmhouse with my wife Diane and college age Sarah and David. I remain amazed that I am actually paid for reading and discussing literature.
Phone: (920) 832-6711
Email: richard.l.yatzeck@lawrence.edu
Peter Thomas, Assistant Professor of Russian
Northwestern University, B.A., Ph.D.
Interests: Russian Language, Literature, and Music; Contemporary Poetry; Translation; Convincing You to Study Russian
Phone: (920) 832-7250
Email: peter.j.thomas@lawrence.edu
Elizabeth Krizenesky, Lecturer of Russian
Ripon College, B.A.
Interest: Russian Language, Translation and Culinary Traditions
A Wisconsin native, I have been a Russophile since I could talk. Our close family friends had Russian grandparents with thick accents and exotic ways that absolutely enthralled me. After getting a B.A. from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin and studying at Patrice Lmumba University in Moscow I moved to New York City. Working for a travel agency I escorted tours throughout the Soviet Union and then landed a couple of dream jobs on a Russian cruise ship and the Lake Placid Olympics as an interpreter. Before moving back to Wisconsin I taught Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. It was there, among my many expatriate Russian colleagues, that I came to truly appreciate the Russian dining experience. As a result, my husband and I host boisterous Old Russian New Year parties at our home for local Russians and friends. Naturally, one of my favorite things about being at Lawrence is our departmental cooking lessons and dinners for students. And my very favorite? Learning from my students, of course!
Phone: (920) 832-6710
Email: elizabeth.krizenesky@lawrence.edu