May earns award from president of Mongolia

A passion that launched decades ago led to a recognition from Mongolia President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa for Dr. Timothy May, associate dean of the College of Arts & Letters and professor of Central Eurasian history at the University of North Georgia (UNG), this August.

It all began while at archaeological field school in the Caribbean while he was an undergraduate student at The College of William & Mary, when May read a book that convinced him he wanted to study the Mongols. He began pursuing the topic and was fortunate enough to have professors who encouraged it.

Ever since then, May has researched the Mongols, written multiple books and become a go-to expert for television shows and movies highlighting their culture. He even served as a consultant for the Chinggis Khaan National Museum that opened in fall 2022, checking the English captions for all of the museum's exhibits.

"What I've done has made an impact not only for my career, but also in the world of Mongolian studies, especially in Mongolia," May said. "It's nice to know that it's seen as having a larger impact than just my personal interest."

His latest honor is the Order of the Polar Star, the highest award the Mongolian government gives a non-citizen. Dr. Bayarsaikhan Dashdondog, professor at National University of Mongolia, said she is grateful to see her nation recognize May's contributions.

"Tim is a recognized expert on the Mongols. It is difficult to be non-Mongol and be an expert on the Mongols," Dashdondog said. "Tim knows about the history of the Mongols and sources about the Mongols. He develops his own path to be a recognized person on the history of the Mongol Empire."

Dr. Michael Hope, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, said reading May's research on the Mongols helped Hope tap into an accessible style that informed his own dissertation. Years later, Hope met May at a conference when May came up to him during a coffee break and told the younger scholar he had read Hope's book manuscript.

"Having someone senior come over like that to a junior person and encourage me to keep going, it was tremendous in convincing me that I could have a career in this field," Hope said. "When he sees something in someone, he will nurture it. He is very generous with his time."

May and Hope went on to later co-edit the book "The Mongol World," which was released in 2024. One of the other things that has most impressed Hope is the breadth of areas of Mongol history May has studied extensively: from military history to cuisine to cultural, technological and economic exchanges.

"It makes it very hard to write a history of the Mongols without citing Timothy May," Hope said. "They pinned a medal on him, but he's pinned his name on the field for many years to come."