Executive Development Institute (EDI), headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., partnered with University of Washington (UW) and Union Bank to host a surprise farewell reception for UW President Mark Emmert at UW's Kane Hall, last week. Emmert was recognized for supporting social justice in embracing the opportunity to award interned Nikkei or Japanese-American graduates with honorary degrees in the commemorative Long Journey Home event.
In 2008, Emmert presented honorary degrees to all Nikkei students or surviving family members who had their education disrupted by the incarceration of thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II. UW is the first university to advocate honorary degrees to the Japanese-American graduates of 1941-42.
Dr. Tetsu Kashima, Chair of the Long Journey Home Committee and UW professor of American ethnic studies and Dennis Yamashita, Japan-America Society Board Chair, shared remarks on the significance of acknowledging the suffering of those students by awarding them honorary degrees. Kashima initiated the petition to the UW regents to approve the measure. The federal government removed all 440 UW Japanese-American students from the University. Though some of these Nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans) returned or received their degrees from other colleges, many others were unable to finish their education at the UW.
Dr. Phyllis Wise, UW Provost and Interim President-Designate shared the UW perspective. Ted Yamamura, EDI Co-Founder and Boeing Regional Manager and Tim Otani, Union Bank Vice President of Community Relations, presented a glass plaque to Emmert inscribed with the Japanese characters for "kansha" or gratitude and appreciation. Emmert made closing remarks.
About 100 guests attended the reception including Japanese Consul General Kiyokazu Ota, Tomio Moriguchi, Chairman of Uwajimaya, and other prominent members of the Asian American community. Diane Adachi, UW Assistant Vice President and Special Assistant to the Provost served as emcee.
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