Irwin Abrams

 

We regretfully announce that Irwin Abrams, one of the early theorists and practitioners of international education and founders of Antioch Education Abroad, passed away suddenly on December 16. Irwin was 96 years old. His daughter advised us that he died peacefully and without pain at his home here in Yellow Springs, OH.  Irwin's wife, Freda Morrill, to whom he was married for 60 years, passed in 1999.

In addition to being a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Antioch University, in 1947, Irwin was appointed to establish the Department of History at Antioch College. He taught European history and International Studies there for over thirty years. 

 

Irwin’s contributions to the field of international education were immense. In 1955, he was inspired by Antioch College President, Samuel Gould, who called for the College to enable every student to study abroad. As someone who had studied at the League of Nations, worked to organize the Quaker International Voluntary Service for Peace work camps in Europe, and had been a part of the Experiment in International Living, it seemed natural for Irwin to take on this challenge. He helped organize the Antioch Education Abroad program, which sent its first students overseas by 1957. He developed and led the European Urban Term, the program known to day as the Europe in Transition program. His goal: to prove that a semester-long program abroad could demonstrate academic rigor. This goal remains at the forefront of AEA programming.  

 

In addition to his work with Antioch’s international programming, Irwin also served as Coordinator of International Programs for the Great Lakes Colleges Association. Nationally, he was at the forefront of the debate on study abroad; his observations represented one of the two major lines of thought on the topic. He believed in the value of the experience of being abroad integrated with an engaged inquiry of academic topics abroad, rather than only studying language and culture. Today, most of AEA’s programs have an academic theme associated with them. Irwin published countless articles and books on international education and his work is cited in numerous publications. (In William Hoffa’s A History of US Study Abroad: Beginnings to 1965, eight separate publications of Irwin’s are cited!) We are grateful for his many contributions to the field and to Antioch Education Abroad.

 
Irwin is also widely recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on the history of the Nobel Peace Prize. His book "The Nobel Peace Prize and the Laureates 1901-1987" was selected by the American Library Association as one of the "outstanding reference works of 1989.”
 

Although we are deeply saddened by Irwin's passing, his daughter reminded us that he died peacefully, just as he lived his life.

 

 

If you would like to send a condolence card to Irwin’s family, please contact us for the address.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations in Irwin's name be made to the Steve Cary Leadership Fund.  Irwin had made contributions to this fund each year; he knew and respected Steve and felt this project was important. He especially liked its focus on the future, as well as the internship component. This ties together with his commitment to teaching/mentoring and to peace and justice work.

Contributions can also be mailed to the AFSC/Development, Steve Cary Leadership Fund, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102-1403

 

(above photo courtesy of www.irwinabrams.com)

 

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