Paulis Lazda, a professor of history and founder of the Occupation Museum of Latvia, has been honored with the Excellence in Service Award by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Lazda joined the faculty in 1967, the university said in a press release.

In 1991, he established the university’s study abroad program in Latvia. Two years later, he helped set up a scholarship to bring students from Latvia to the university.

And in 1994, he began the annual Symposium on East Europe, which brings members of the university community in contact with internationally recognized experts on the region.

Lazda was honored with the Order of Three Stars, Latvia’s highest civilian honor, in 2000.