Season’s Greetings from Professor Voeten, Director of the Mortara Center

Dear Mortara Community,

2025 has been a remarkable year for the Mortara Center. We hosted more events than ever before, including cutting-edge research talks, book launches from our faculty, high-profile public discussions, workshops to advance early-stage scholarship, student events, and conversations with policy-makers, diplomats, and practitioners. These events reflect the intellectual energy of our community and the expanding reach of the Center.

A highlight of 2025 was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Mortara building. It was a joy to welcome the Mortara family to the Center, reconnect with old friends, and reflect on two decades of scholarship, mentorship, and community building. The celebratory dinner in Riggs Library was a memorable evening and an opportunity to honor the past while looking ahead to an equally ambitious future.

This has also been a year that reminded us how much the Mortara community is strengthened by the people who support it every day. Pauline Courteille and Daisy O’Brien have become the backbone of our operations. Together with our student workers they ensure that our events run smoothly, welcome visitors, and help maintain the warm and collegial environment that defines Mortara.

As we close out the year, I am grateful for everyone who contributes to making Mortara such a vibrant place: faculty, students, staff, visiting scholars, and friends. Your engagement, curiosity, and generosity continue to make the Center a unique home.

Warmest wishes for happy holidays and a gelukkig nieuwjaar!

Erik Voeten