US, Japanese leaders celebrate longstanding relations

Ceremonial drummers at the tree dedication ceremony Photo: Todd Gardiner for Team Photogenic

UW President Michael K. Young and Japanese Consul General Masahiro Omura Photo: Todd Gardiner for Team Photogenic

Japanese General Consul Masahiro Omura spoke today near Drumheiller Fountain today to celebrate a recent gift of cherry trees to the UW American Ethnic Studies department from the people of Japan.

Also speaking at the ceremony were former congressman and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and UW President Michael K. Young.

The new cherry trees, installed on central campus overlooking Drumheiller Fountain, were presented in honor of longstanding relations between the U.S. and Japan. They also honor the many Japanese and Japanese American students who have attended UW since 1894.

Launch party celebrates book by study abroad students

A May 12 launch party will celebrate the publication of TIPS to Study Abroad: Simple Letters for Complex Engagement, a book by students from Professor Anu Taranath’s 2013 study abroad to Bangalore, India.

Through the unique medium of students’ letters to Things, Ideas and People (TIPS), the book “offers a simple method to help travelers- students and tourists alike- reflect on how moving from one culture to another sparks questions about identity, society and the meaning of travel itself.”

Professor Taranath’s unique approach to teaching abroad integrates on-campus classroom learning with international immersion. Students participate in quarter-long seminars on campus before and after the study abroad to allow time for in-depth preparation for and reflection on the experience. TIPS to Study Abroad is the culmination of the group’s experience and learning.

Community members are welcome at the book launch party at 7pm on Monday, May 12. The event will be held at University Temple.

Undergrad presents global land use research to DC lawmakers

Biology major Mollie Holmberg was one of 60 US undergraduates to present research at last week’s Posters on the Hill event in Washington D.C. Supported by Luke Bergmann from the Department of Geography, Mollie investigates the impact of the global economy on agricultural land worldwide.

Stroum Center for Jewish Studies celebrates 40th anniversary

Recognized internationally as a center for research and scholarship, the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the center is hosting a 40th Anniversary Spring Gala on May 12.

Read about a Stroum Center project from Columns…

Study abroad students connect with Roma communities

During winter quarter, Comparative History of Ideas’ (CHID) Legacies of Empires study abroad program took students on a journey to Rome, Budapest and Istanbul to connect with Roma communities through experiential learning.

Michelle Obama praises UW student in Peking University speech

First Lady Michelle Obama praised UW senior Philmon Haile during a recent speech at Peking University, quoting from his remarks at a Washington D.C. event celebrating President Obama’s 100,000 Strong initiative.

Philmon has studied abroad several times, interning at the US Embassy Beijing, conducting field research in rural China and volunteering in Jordan. He was recently awarded the Rangel Graduate Fellowship, which supports graduate study and professional development in preparation for a career in the Foreign Service.

Read First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks…

New UW course explores history, politics of global health intervention

A new Department of History course challenges students to explore the complicated history of health intervention. Through critical examination of case studies from the Middle Ages to the present day, Associate Professor Adam Warren hopes to empower and inspire students to take leadership and learn from history. Read more from A&S Perspectives…