The Community Library Lecture Room

Nick Miller studied history at Indiana University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1991. He teaches courses on modern European history.

Professor Miller’s research focus is the lands of the former Yugoslavia. His publications include articles on Serbian and Croatian history before the First World War and Serbian politics and culture since 1945. His book on the Serbian community of Croatia, entitled Between Nation and State: Serbian Politics in Croatia before the First World War, appeared courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh Press in the fall of 1997. His second book, The Nonconformists: Culture, Politics, and Nationalism in a Serbian Cultural Circle, 1944-1991 was published in 2007 by Central European University Press. His articles have appeared in The Slavic Review, East European Politics and Societies,Nationalities Papers, Orbis, Problems of Post-Communism, and in edited volumes.

Miller has been a recipient of fellowships from the International Research and Exchanges Board, the Andrew Mellon foundation, American Council of Learned Societies, and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. His research has taken him to former Yugoslavia on many occasions, and he has traveled extensively in Eastern Europe in general. His current research focuses on the population of a region called Žumberak, in northern Croatia: its settlement patterns, immigration and emigration, religious and national identity.

Currently, Miller serves as director of the Arts and Humanities Institute at Boise State University.

A Peace of Cheese follows a group of Basque cheese makers as they visit Scotland to witness the preparations for the Independence Referendum.

Currently, Dave Lachiondo serves as the Interim Director of the Basque Studies Program at Boise State University.

Trailer:

http://vimeo.com/44527568

 

Don’t miss this exclusive screening of Waiting for Lightning is an inspiring documentary that follows skateboarding pioneer Danny Way, revealing the passion, grit, determination and psyche behind one of the sport’s greatest legends. Writer Bret Johnston will be available for a Q&A after the screening.

Danny Way was a young boy from a broken home whose passion for skateboarding would bring him across boundaries to attempt the impossible—to jump the Great Wall of China on a skateboard. It explores the challenges life presents, and how high and far dreams can fly. In his quest for greatness, Way continues to shape the very sport which helped save his own life. In the last two decades when the question is posed, “Who is the greatest skateboarder ever?” the answer from the majority of skate professionals has been Danny Way. The legendary athlete, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible, has earned a reputation as an innovator and ambassador for his sport.

Waiting For Lightning, written by Bret Johnston and directed by Jacob Rosenberg.

Official website: http://www.waitingforlightningthemovie.com/#home

July 23, 2014

Join Lee Pollock, Executive Director of the Churchill Centre, in this fascinating exploration of the human side of the great man, Winston Spencer Churchill.

Beyond his stature as a world statesman, Churchill is almost as well known for his love for—and consumption of—food and wine and for his ubiquitous cigars. Stories—often humorous and sometimes exaggerated—about his indulgence have been told and retold for almost a century.

But Churchill’s eating, drinking and smoking served a larger purpose and played an important role in his mastery of politics, diplomacy and statecraft. His belief in the power of the table and personal relationships was summarized in his comment, “If I could have dinner with Stalin once a week, all would be well.”

Bon Appétit!