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In 1947, while in Germany, Joseph P. Kazickas received a scholarship from Yale that enabled him and his family to emigrate to America as refugees from communist Lithuania. He completed his Ph.D. in economics in 1951 and pursued a successful career as a business entrepreneur. Joseph P. Kazickas post-doctoral fellowship was born from gratitude for the opportunity he received in 1947 with hopes that such tradition will be carried on by its recipients.

Dr. Grišinas, a Researcher at Kaunas University of Technology and a Lecturer in Political Anthropology at the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania, shares his experience at Yale:

"Receiving the Joseph. P. Kazickas Fellowship provided me with an exceptional opportunity to spend half a year as a Post-Doctoral Associate at Yale’s MacMillan Center for Area and International studies. It doesn’t take an academic to understand the joy and honor I had, and I’d like to straight away express my sincere gratitude to the Kazickas family for the yearly funding of early career Lithuanian scholars.

To a young academic, who has recently finished or will soon finish his doctorate studies, this fellowship is incredibly valuable for many reasons, several of which I would like to mention. First, in contrast to many other academic positions of such kind, there are no rigid commitments as to what exactly, when and how a fellow must accomplish during his stay. And even though having a preliminary working schedule and doing “homework” research into the resources and academic environment is advisable, one is allowed the freedom to manage his time and work on tasks one finds most important. I think that is wonderful.

Second, the library and other study resources at the university are particularly extensive. From the magnificent Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library to the wonderful collections of Yale University Art Gallery and the famous Law School, which produced several US presidents, scholars in Social Sciences and Humanities can find almost anything their hearts desire here. Among the most interesting sites at Yale is Sterling Memorial Library, built like a Neo-Gothic cathedral and towering a 15-story “belfry”, filled with shelves of books.

Third, as it can be expected from a world-class academic institution, the university ‘s intellectual life is extremely vibrant and rich. One could spend a full day every day visiting seminars, lectures, film screenings, discussions and exhibition openings. The MacMillan Center is comprised of multiple centers of Area studies which all organize events, introducing and engaging with cultural, political, social and ecological issues around the globe. The Post-Docs in Baltic Studies are also encouraged to organize various initiatives themselves. I have organized a photography exhibition by Juozas Kazlauskas at Yale’s Anthropology Department, on the topic of the anti-Soviet independence movement in Lithuania, 1991.

The academic atmosphere at Yale is overall incredible. Such thick conglomeration of talented people inevitably forces one to step up a bit, yet all creative initiatives are encouraged and supported. It was under such circumstances that I had the opportunity to work with a scholar from Columbia University, who is also affiliated to Yale, in organizing a three-part discussion series on the contemporary global condition of liberalism, which has now grown into further collaboration.

So, perhaps typically shy and more timid Lithuanian scholars in the American academic environment can learn courage to ask for help and secure resources and tools their projects require. I personally hope to use this experience for setting broader, more ambitious goals in my public work. It will come in handy when organizing academic and artistic projects in Lithuania, which will not only transcend disciplinary boundaries, but also emphasize the importance of culture to the sustainable development of the Lithuanian society. Bearing in mind the contemporary condition of arts and humanities in the country, it is both meaningful and necessary.

Talking about the town of New Haven, where the university is located, as well as the country itself, which I had visited for the first time in my life, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, this town, the size of approximately Panevėžys, just like the state of Connecticut is not living through the best of their days. It’s been quite a while that the region is being haunted with receding industry and related social problems. Yet the town has its own charm. For instance, since it has an old Italian community, originating from the dock workers, New Haven is famous for its pizzerias and seafood, and in the Downtown, there is a Louis’ Lunch burger joint that is the oldest continuously working institution of this kind in the States.

Yale is New Haven’s biggest employer, and the difference between the university’s territory, which spans from North to South, across the entire town, and its other part is quite impressive. Yet although such a sharp contrast between the very rich university and relatively poor town is not a sign of a healthy social climate, to the outsider this situation presents at least two out of many sides of the American society. Another advantage is the fact that New York is nearby and is very accessible by train. From there, one can fly to whichever part of the country one desires. During my stay there, I did my best to visit as many cities and states as I could, ranging from Toronto to New Orleans. I was enriched and bewitched by this varied experience.

Finally, I would like to encourage young Lithuanian scholars to apply for this incredible opportunity to not only expand their professional horizons, but also to experience and understand this incredibly interesting country, full of charm, talent and controversy. I hope that the experiences that I had, as well as the connections that I made there will remain with me for the rest of my life."

Photo above: A. Grisinas with KFF NYC director N. Baumiliene