On Saturday, May 3rd, faculty and graduate students gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the California Medieval Seminar (CMS).
Presenters from art history, archaeology, and medieval history shared pre-circulated papers exploring aspects of the medieval past. Attendees then engaged in discussion, offering constructive feedback to help refine the presenters’ works in progress.
Patrick Geary, the CMS founder and former CMRS-CEGS director, and Piotr Górecki, who recently concluded his term as CMS director, joined us for the occasion. Special thanks to Steering Committee members Tom Barton (USD), Heather Blurton (UCSB), Rowan Dorin (Stanford), and Alison Perchuk (CSU Channel Islands), who presented Geary and Górecki with commemorative books filled with images and reflections from three decades of Seminar participants.
Following the presentation, participants gathered on the patio for a celebratory reception. Geary and Górecki led the cake cutting, marking the 30th anniversary of the California Medieval Seminar with toasts, singing, and shared reflections on the Seminar’s legacy.
Thank you to all who attended. We look forward to seeing you at the next Fall Seminar, on Saturday, November 8th.
Please note that advance registration is required. To register or inquire, contact us at cmrs@humnet.ucla.edu. Speaker details and paper topics are announced via email. Let us know if you want to be added to the distribution list. Calls for presenters are issued quarterly, typically two months before each meeting, and papers are accepted on a first-come basis.
Learn more about the California Medieval Seminar and explore past papers at: https://cmrs.ucla.edu/research/california-medieval-seminar/