Sad News: George Ross
Dear Colleagues,I write to share the sad news that George William Ross, Professor Emeritus of Labor and Social Thought, passed away on April 2, 2025 at the age of 84.
George joined the Brandeis faculty in 1970 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and in 2009 retired a distinguished scholar after 39 years of dedicated teaching and service, and a research profile of international renown. Having received a PhD in Government from Harvard University, he embarked on an academic career that examined the areas of political sociology and social movements, with a focus on European politics, the political economy of the European Union (EU), changing democracy in advanced industrial societies, and globalization and social structures.
George was a prolific scholar. As the author, co-author and editor of many books and articles, he is credited with shaping the field of European Studies. Among his earlier books were Workers and Communities in France and The View from Inside: Rank-and-File Communism in France. Later works included Jacques Delors and European Integration, Euros and Europeans: Monetary Integration and the European Model of Society (edited with Andrew Martin), and The European Union and Its Crises: Through the Eyes of the Brussels’ Elite. He balanced an impressive publication record with teaching commitments and with a considerable service load. Known as a steadying hand who aimed always to foster a culture of collegiality, he was called upon regularly for important service roles. These included assignments as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, the Senate, and the University’s Tenure Panel, and two terms as department chair.
In 1986 George was named the Morris Hillquit Professor of Labor and Social Thought. He began a joint appointment in Sociology and Politics in 1997, and in 1998 became the second director of the Center for German and European Studies (CGES) at Brandeis, a position he held for the next ten years, and which he fulfilled with his characteristic energy and commitment. As his reputation grew, so did demands for professional service. During his time as CGES director, he also served as chair of the European Union Studies Association, and as Acting Director of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University. He also carried a number of editorial responsibilities for publications such as French Politics Culture and Society, Sociologie du Travail, Contemporary European Politics, and the Journal of European Integration.
When he retired from Brandeis, George moved to Montreal and became an active member of the Jean Monnet Centre Montréal (JMCM), a joint venture of the University of Montreal and McGill University, supported by the European Union. He was recognized with the ad personam Chaire Jean Monnet at the JMCM, an appointment granted by the European Union to honor distinguished international contributions to the understanding of European integration. He was also awarded the title of Officier, Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Government of France), and received a Chaire Francqui from the Belgian Francqui Foundation, as well as two Fellowships from the German Marshall Fund of the USA, and two Fulbright research fellowships. In 2017, he was honored with the prestigious European Union Studies Association Award for Lifetime Achievement in European Studies.
Despite his international stature, having worked closely with all the major EU leaders, George remained humble. Always supportive of students and junior colleagues, he helped to launch many careers. A former student described him as “thoughtful, generous, supportive, wise, funny, dog-crazy, encouraging, and goofy.” He brought great wisdom and good humor, and with his wife Jane Jenson (also a distinguished scholar) welcomed many colleagues into their home in Belmont for wonderful food and lively political conversation, and even for the occasional department meeting or retreat.
George is mourned by Jane and Bridget Jenson, his cousins Judy, Barbara and Donald, his brother-in-law Alan Moore and family, and many friends. Please direct any contributions in his name to the Cedars Cancer Foundation or to Orford Musique.
I am grateful to Carmen Sirianni, Sabine von Mering, and Karen V. Hansen for their contributions to this memoriam.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Fierke
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs