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Current Planning for the Development of the |
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Western Michigan University Delegation:
Mr. Bill Woods, Director of International Advancement w.woods@wmich.edu
Mr. Jin Abe, Japan Liaison Officer
Mrs. Jolene Jackson, former Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Mr. Bill Woods, Director of International Advancement w.woods@wmich.edu
Mr. Jin Abe, Japan Liaison Officer
Mrs. Jolene Jackson, former Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Efforts on both sides of the Pacific Ocean have resulted in the establishment of the Michitoshi Soga Japan Center (approved by Western Michigan University Board of Trustees December 9, 2005)
The Mission of the Center: To make fundamental advances in our knowledge about Japan, to communicate that knowledge to students and other scholars, business, labor, government and the general public.
The Mission of the Center: To make fundamental advances in our knowledge about Japan, to communicate that knowledge to students and other scholars, business, labor, government and the general public.
The Center will attempt to:
1. Promote and disseminate research on Japan.
2. Support students pursuing Japanese studies, as well as those interested in studying in Japan.
3. Stimulate creative curricular development, as well as extra-curricular activities that enrich students’ understanding of Japan.
4. Serve as the nexus between WMU and the Japan-related business community in western Michigan.
5. Deepen ties with the Kalamazoo community by establishing relationships with area schools and community centers.
6. Deepen ties with the Japanese communities in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas as well as partner institutions, relevant communities, and alumni groups in Japan.
Financial Management
1. A separate budget will be established for the Center beginning July 1, 2006. The center will have equipment, furniture, appropriate signage, and a new Director and will be located in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
2. Interest earned from the endowment during 2006-07 and 2007-08 will be used for the Center’s operations. Other support may be provided by government sponsored programs, the Haenicke Institute, and private sponsors. In principle, all money gifted to the Soga Center will be placed into the Japan Friends endowment in order to increase future income and the operational budget.
Financial Management
1. A separate budget will be established for the Center beginning July 1, 2006. The center will have equipment, furniture, appropriate signage, and a new Director and will be located in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
2. Interest earned from the endowment during 2006-07 and 2007-08 will be used for the Center’s operations. Other support may be provided by government sponsored programs, the Haenicke Institute, and private sponsors. In principle, all money gifted to the Soga Center will be placed into the Japan Friends endowment in order to increase future income and the operational budget.
Timeline
December 2005 – Board of Trustees officially create Michitoshi Soga Japan Center.
February 2006 – New Director, Dr. Stephen G. Covell, Comparative Religion, is nominated.
July 2006 – Center operations are officially funded.
September 2006 – Committees continue working to find external funding.
September – WMU campus reception in honor of Dr. Soga.
September – Preparations begin for reception sponsored by WMU in honor of Dr. Soga and in celebration of new Center.
Winter/Spring 2007 – Tokyo reception for Dr. Soga and possible announcement of fund-raising effort for new Center.
Highlights
→Western Michigan University’s links with Japan date back more than fifty years. WMU’s first Japanese alumnus earned a graduate degree in psychology in 1955.
→WMU’s first academic linkage with a Japanese university began with Keio University, which sent a Summer Institute group of 66 students and 3 professors to Kalamazoo in 1961.
December 2005 – Board of Trustees officially create Michitoshi Soga Japan Center.
February 2006 – New Director, Dr. Stephen G. Covell, Comparative Religion, is nominated.
July 2006 – Center operations are officially funded.
September 2006 – Committees continue working to find external funding.
September – WMU campus reception in honor of Dr. Soga.
September – Preparations begin for reception sponsored by WMU in honor of Dr. Soga and in celebration of new Center.
Winter/Spring 2007 – Tokyo reception for Dr. Soga and possible announcement of fund-raising effort for new Center.
Highlights
→Western Michigan University’s links with Japan date back more than fifty years. WMU’s first Japanese alumnus earned a graduate degree in psychology in 1955.
→WMU’s first academic linkage with a Japanese university began with Keio University, which sent a Summer Institute group of 66 students and 3 professors to Kalamazoo in 1961.
