In 1946, the study of Russian language was first offered to students at Mount Holyoke College. Russian was taught at this time and shortly after through a cooperative program between Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. With increasing annual enrollment in Russian courses at Mount Holyoke, a Russian Department with a full major program was established in the 1960/1961 academic year. The first chairperson of the department was Professor Vladimir Sajkovic. In 1961, the Russian House was founded for student residents who spoke and desired to speak Russian. In 1982, in addition to a major program in Russian Language and Literature, an interdisciplinary major program in Russian Studies was developed. This program, now called Russian and Eurasian Studies, has undergone several name changes since its establishment. It combines the study of Russian Language and Literature with politics, history, and economics, and has been called Russian and Soviet Studies, Russian Studies, Russian and Commonwealth Studies, and Russian and Eurasian Studies.