About This Event
The Story
Beloved professor, respected colleague, and loving friend, Cosmina Tanasoiu passed away on August 5th 2016, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. In recognition of her unwavering commitment to her students, her friends and colleagues established an endowed scholarship in her name at the American University in Bulgaria.
For Cosmina “to teach was to challenge.” And she did so by transmitting her encyclopaedic knowledge on anything from the workings of the European Union to intellectuals and politics, from comparing electoral systems to the politics of the Olympic Games, or from dictatorships to combating corruption in Eastern Europe. She often took a ‘cruel to be kind’ approach – always challenging one to do better, aim higher, try harder. So, in a way, nothing would be more appropriate than to provide one student with a respite from financial considerations, to dream big, think outside the box, and dare to take on ‘established wisdom.’
Throughout her life Cosmina never stopped reading, learning, challenging herself, as she did others. She spoke of knowledge as the lighter luggage we carry with us, no matter the road or the destination. And thus she was often frustrated at the changes in the political spectrum: the rise of populism, of an intolerant nationalism and creeping anti-intellectualism. A true European, she had faith in the idea of the European Union, of Europe and ultimately the power of individuals to effect change. She created the European Studies program at AUBG not because of its novelty at the time, but because of her conviction that Europe can matter, and that only by knowing of it we can reform, improve and shape it into something lasting. Establishing a scholarship that would help students learn about Europe will be a worthy continuation of her efforts.
For all that knew her, Cosmina was a brilliant mind, but most importantly, an extraordinary heart. She was never afraid to invest emotionally in people – to listen, to guide and to love. Her students were her greatest pride – so let us continue this tradition – in her name.
Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference, as will your help in spreading the word about this opportunity to honour Cosmina's life. Please consider making a donation, and sharing this with your fellow students, friends, alumni, and/or work colleagues.
Thank you.
About This Event
The Story
Beloved professor, respected colleague, and loving friend, Cosmina Tanasoiu passed away on August 5th 2016, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. In recognition of her unwavering commitment to her students, her friends and colleagues established an endowed scholarship in her name at the American University in Bulgaria.
For Cosmina “to teach was to challenge.” And she did so by transmitting her encyclopaedic knowledge on anything from the workings of the European Union to intellectuals and politics, from comparing electoral systems to the politics of the Olympic Games, or from dictatorships to combating corruption in Eastern Europe. She often took a ‘cruel to be kind’ approach – always challenging one to do better, aim higher, try harder. So, in a way, nothing would be more appropriate than to provide one student with a respite from financial considerations, to dream big, think outside the box, and dare to take on ‘established wisdom.’
Throughout her life Cosmina never stopped reading, learning, challenging herself, as she did others. She spoke of knowledge as the lighter luggage we carry with us, no matter the road or the destination. And thus she was often frustrated at the changes in the political spectrum: the rise of populism, of an intolerant nationalism and creeping anti-intellectualism. A true European, she had faith in the idea of the European Union, of Europe and ultimately the power of individuals to effect change. She created the European Studies program at AUBG not because of its novelty at the time, but because of her conviction that Europe can matter, and that only by knowing of it we can reform, improve and shape it into something lasting. Establishing a scholarship that would help students learn about Europe will be a worthy continuation of her efforts.
For all that knew her, Cosmina was a brilliant mind, but most importantly, an extraordinary heart. She was never afraid to invest emotionally in people – to listen, to guide and to love. Her students were her greatest pride – so let us continue this tradition – in her name.
Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference, as will your help in spreading the word about this opportunity to honour Cosmina's life. Please consider making a donation, and sharing this with your fellow students, friends, alumni, and/or work colleagues.
Thank you.