MonSoc’s 65th Annual Meeting to Honor Professor Henry G. Schwarz

The Mongolia Society’s 65th Annual Meeting & Panels will be held October 2-3, 2026, at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

Prof Henry G. Schwarz

This year’s meeting will honor Professor Henry G. Schwarz, Professor Emeritus at Western Washington University, whose scholarship, teaching, and institutional leadership have shaped the field of Mongolian Studies for more than half a century.

Western Washington University is an especially fitting site for the meeting. Under Professor Schwarz’s leadership, Western became one of the most important centers for Mongolian Studies in North America. Beginning in the 1970s, the university developed a strong program in East Asian and Mongolian Studies, offering courses in Mongolian history, culture, language, and literature. Western also helped establish a pioneering Mongolian language program for American students at Inner Mongolia University, hosted conferences and public programs, and built one of the most significant Mongolian Studies library collections outside Mongolia.

‍‍Professor Schwarz’s contributions extend well beyond Western Washington University. As a scholar, he has published widely on Mongolia, Inner Asia, ethnic minorities, and Mongols in China, helping to define key areas of research in the field. As a teacher and mentor, he has trained and encouraged generations of students and scholars. As a leader in The Mongolia Society, including service as its President, he has helped sustain the Society’s mission of supporting scholarship, exchange, and public understanding of Mongolia.‍ ‍

The 2026 Annual Meeting will bring together scholars, students, and friends of Mongolia for two days of panels, presentations, and conversation. The conference will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual participation welcome.‍ ‍

For details about registration, membership requirements for presenters, attendance fees, special new-member rates, travel, and accommodations, please see our 65th ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION PAGE