ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
EMERENS INSTITUTE OF HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY & ANTHROPOLOGY
Above all, the Emerens Institute is a research-focused institution, born to facilitate new discoveries and inspire new ways of thinking about things we already know. In all we do, we are driven to dig deeper, push further, and ask bigger questions, about humanity and the world around us. Students are instructed by world-class scholars and teachers, all of whom are actively engaged in research themselves and consistently lead international conversations about their areas of study. As mentors, they provide numerous student-research opportunities, inspiring students to advance their aspirations as well as develop their own critical and analytic skills. Students spend ample time in the field in our world-renowned archaeology program, and our incredible library and museum are an essential resource not only for faculty and students at the institute but for visiting academics from around the world.
Mikhail Soterman
After earning his PhD from the prestigious Fulton University, Dr. Soterman began his teaching career right here at the Emerens Institute over twenty years ago. Eventually taking over the position of dean, he has helped the Institute thrive and gain international acclaim for its programs. His latest accomplishments include placement in the top 10 anthropology programs in Europe, and overseeing the renovation of the Gutenberg Library to great success.
OUR DEAN
WHAT'S NEW
GUTENBERG LIBRARY NOW OPEN
The Gutenberg Library has been undergoing renovations for the past three years, with limited hours and certain sections only accessible to students and faculty, some inaccessible completely at times. Well, we are finally ready to announce that the wait is over! All sections of the library are now open to the public once again, including the rare book collection. There are also several new features to be excited about: An audio collection and a listening room to accompany it, a new computer lab, wifi in the basement study rooms, and perhaps most importantly, an annex with vending machines, for all you night owls. Yes, this also means extended hours—the library will now be open from 6am to 2am Sunday to Thursday, and 6am to 11pm Fridays and Saturdays. Parts of the collection are also available for online reading, here. We told you it was exciting!
MISSING PERSON: ROSE WONING
We at the Emerens Institute regret to announce that one of our dearest faculty members, Dr. Rose Anne Woning, was declared missing in November of 2016. Despite having a deep understanding of Northern European history, Dr. Woning always pushes to discover further. She has an insatiable need to understand human society, the natural world, and even the supernatural world. In a series of essays, collectively titled Theories of Magic Through a Historical Lens, she explored a breadth of practices from ancient rituals to modern day paganism, while connecting the dots in between. Rose is a brilliant academic, beloved by her students and colleagues, and an irreplaceable member of the community at Emerens Institute. We urge anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to please come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
OUR FACULTY
Samuel Friedner
Dr. Friedner is a world-renowned historian and has previously taught Global Studies and International Relations at the prestigious University of Wargner. He is the author of Important Lessons in History, a staple of many classrooms that has been translated into thirteen languages and sold over one million copies worldwide.
Grace Liu
Dr. Liu has been teaching linguistics and sociology at the Emerens Institute since 2005, and has written numerous books, most notably From the Tower of Babel to the Modern Age: Communication Through the Ages. Fluent in seven languages, she is a frequent guest lecturer at various universities, and a former interpreter for the United Nations.
Alexandra Mosovskaya
Having spent as much time on excavations as she has in the classroom, Dr. Mosovskaya spearheaded a unique hands-on archaeology program that provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in the field as part of their curriculum. She has published several studies, her most recent being Current Observations on Canopic Jars.
Andres Woning
An avid collector of rare artifacts, Dr. Woning spent his early career curating museum exhibitions around the world. His curriculum focuses on cultural transformation and migration patterns. His book, Why We Move: Understanding Human Migration, features research on indigenous cultural changes and responses following contact with external, more dominant societies.
Lina Mattu
An exceptional academic as well as a valuable community builder, Dr. Mattu teaches anthropology and is the faculty advisor for all first-generation higher education students. She is the coauthor of the book Sapiens Through the Centuries and is currently working on her second book, which explores and expands on similar themes.
Maia Batis
An experienced historic preservation and restoration expert, Batis has travelled to many museums around the world to consult on best practices and improve preservation programs. She has also restored many artifacts herself and published a guide for others called Record Keeping and Preservation of Fragile Artifacts.
August Navarro
Dr. Navarro is indisputably one of the most knowledgeable scholars of religious mythology in the world. In his book, Gods Without Limits: Deities in Religion and Mythology, he explores the origin and transformation of deities over time, and the relationships humans form with faith and superstition.
Mark Nielsson
An expert on the evolution of arts and craft throughout millennia, Dr. Nielsson is a frequent contributor to international media and has been featured in Society Magazine multiple times. His current research evaluates the scope of Asian influence on the development of art and design in Europe.
