William Urban, right, is presented with a copy of Urbanfest, a book published in his honor, by co-editors Jeff Rankin (left) and Thomas Sienkewicz (center)
MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (June 24, 2026) — A collection of scholarly writings honoring longtime Monmouth College professor William L Urban has been published following more than two years of planning, writing and editing.
Urban, who retired in 2015 as the Lee L Morgan Professor of History and International Studies after nearly fifty years in the classroom, was presented with a copy of the volume in June. Titled Urbanfest, the book contains essays and reflections by 22 former colleagues, students, and friends whose lives and careers were influenced by the noted historian.
The project was conceived, organized, and funded by Urban's longtime faculty colleague Thomas J Sienkewicz, emeritus Minnie Billings Capron Professor of Classics. Retired Monmouth College communications director Jeff Rankin served as co-editor.
Urbanfest was inspired by the Festschrift tradition, which originated in Germany and honors distinguished scholars through a collection of essays written by colleagues, former students, and friends. Such volumes are typically presented to the honoree during his or her lifetime.
The 328-page illustrated volume is divided into seven sections: Monmouth College; the City of Monmouth; Illinois and the Midwest; the United States; the Roman Empire; the World; and Literature.
In addition to Sienkewicz and Rankin, contributors include retired social-studies and history teacher Thomas Best; retired Monmouth music professor James Betts; retired Monmouth English professor Mary Hanford Bruce; former students Brian Chabowski and Tiffany Ramsey Chabowski; former Monmouth history professors Stacy Cordery and Simon Cordery; former students Daniel Cotter and Neil Dahlstrom; friend Viv Edwards; former student Richard Harrod; former Monmouth foreign languages professor Fred Keller; retired Monmouth economics professor Kenneth G McMillan; Monmouth trustee Bradley Nahrstadt; former student Joseph R O'Neill; retired Monmouth librarian J Richard Sayre; former student Sylvia Shults; friends Julia Sienkewicz and Janet Goodhue Smith; and retired Monmouth classics professor Vicki A. Wine.
Copies of the book are being presented to the Library of Congress, Monmouth College's Hewes Library, the Warren County Public Library, and the Warren County History Museum, as well as to each contributor.
The publication serves as both a tribute to Urban's decades of teaching and scholarship and a lasting record of the many friendships, professional relationships, and intellectual pursuits that grew from his nearly half-century at Monmouth College.
