Gedenkschrift in Honor of Ronald H. Miller (1938-2011)
“I would like to (not for my ego but for my students) have my publishing company produce what the Germans call a Festschrift written for me in honor of my 80th birthday if I am alive or in memory of me if I am dead.”
This is an excerpt from an email that Ron sent to his son Jim on 3 April 2011, just a little over a month before his final day. With your help we plan to fulfill one of Ron’s final wishes and create this special tribute. Ron passed away at 73 years of age, and so it was decided to publish this volume for his 75th birthday instead of waiting for his 80th birthday. Thanks to the Internet, all contributions will be posted throughout the year to the Gedenkschrift menu on this website. From the resulting pool of works, final selections will be made and published into a tangible book (or books) to be printed in celebration of Ron’s 75th birthday, which falls on 17 April 2013.
WHAT IS A FESTSCHRIFT/GEDENKSCHRIFT?
Technically, a Festschrift is written in honor of someone who is alive. A Gedenkschrift is a publication written to honor someone who has passed. The literal translation from the German is “remembrance or commemorative writing”. We will refer to Ron’s publication as “Gedenkschrift in Honor of Ronald H. Miller (1938-2011).” The English speaking equivalent to a Gedenkschrift or Festschrift is usually “Essays in honor of…” More detailed information on what a Festschrift is can be viewed at this Wikipedia article.
WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE?
Anyone who knew Ron will share our gratitude of a man who has always been so unfailingly inspiring, enthusiastic and encouraging.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY PIECE?
You can submit your completed article by going to the CONTACT link at the bottom of the Ron Miller’s World website where you can upload your file or click HERE for a shortcut.
IS THERE A DEADLINE?
By late summer of 2012 would be preferred. Writings will be posted to the Ron Miller’s World website as they are submitted. The physical Gedenkschrift will be published around Ron’s 75th birthday, which is 17 April 2013 and time will be needed to review, prepare and publish.
Click here to read the updated post with the new deadline and more info.
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT?
Through this resulting Gedenkschrift, we thank Ron Miller for his years of generous and wise advice, teachings, dedication and friendship to his many students and colleagues. We will publish essays and academic papers in the areas of scholarship in which Ron was most active. We also plan to publish essays on topics that may not have been the direct academic focus of Ron’s professional work, but were also either important to Ron or within the scope of his overall pursuits of dialogue, peace, and the transformation of consciousness in the individual and society. We picture a rich harvest for the mind and the spirit.
We are asking for scholarly and literary accounts on a topic of interest that you feel in some way reflects the essence of Ron’s teaching and interests. These essays can use the first person, but only if it is integrated in the process of telling a story that underscores the main intellectual point of the piece.
If you do not have a professional academic career, please do not let this deter you from submitting an article. Perhaps you are an expert at something that you learned very informally. This is your chance to tell us about it as well as formalize some of your own knowledge. (It would make Ron proud)
If you have questions or an idea for an article and would like to discuss it with us, please email us using the Contact form at the bottom of the Ron Miller’s World website or click HERE for a shortcut.
Example topics:
- Jewish-Christian understanding
- Christian mystics
- Islam and the West
- The Concept of Peace
- Yoga as a Spiritual Path
- Organic agriculture and the healing of the earth
- Mind-body healing
- Meditation
LENGTH: Up to approximately 7,500 words, usually less
WILL MY CONTRIBUTION BE PUBLIC?
Yes, both on the Ron Miller’s World website and, if selected, in the physical printed book.
WHO IS BEHIND THIS EFFORT?
In the full email to his son, Ron asked that this endeavor be overseen by his son, Jim Miller and Ron’s old friend and Lake Forest College alum, Tom Meier.
As Ron would say, Peace.
looking forward to sending time on this in July while up at the lake, a special place where Ron and I gave one of several retreats together!
How cool to see even a sampling of all the lives Ron touched. In memory of our brother…
As Ron wrote to me in his book on The Gospel of Thomas, “Blessings on your path.” It’s a beloved expression which I have passed on to others and wish for you and all who contribute to this marvelous endeavor. Looking forward to reading all those tributes from those whose lives were touched and transformed by Ron.