The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously late last week to grant honorary bachelor̢۪s degrees to Japanese Americans who were enrolled at CSU campuses during World War II, and forced into internment camps.
The first degree was awarded posthumously Sept. 23 to Aiko Nishi Uwate, a Japanese American woman who was removed from San Francisco State University and sent to the Gila River relocation camp in Arizona. Uwate̢۪s daughter, Vivian Uwate Nelson, accepted the degree for her mother.
The Trustees̢۪ action followed legislation that directs California̢۪s postsecondary education institutions to extend honorary degrees to individuals who were unable to complete their postsecondary education due to their forced incarceration during World War II.
“This legislation reflects our state’s commitment to correcting this ‘unfinished business’ for a waning population of deserving students,â€Âsaid Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani.
Fresno State President John D. Welty also commented on the honorary degrees.
“It is always heartbreaking when students are forced to put aside their dreams of a college education, and even more so in the case of Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War II,â€Â said Welty. “Fresno State will be proud to award honorary degrees to our students whose studies were interrupted. I urge them and their families to contact us so they may receive the recognition they earned.”
I second that • Sep 29, 2009 at 4:51 pm
its a way to waste time and make it look good simultaneously !!
I second that • Sep 29, 2009 at 11:51 pm
its a way to waste time and make it look good simultaneously !!
Barker • Sep 28, 2009 at 8:42 pm
In a budgetary crunch like the one we are seeing now, this is an utter waste of funds, time, and other resources. Maybe good in premise, but let’s get through the current crisis before we deal with minor issues like this particular one………….
Barker • Sep 28, 2009 at 1:42 pm
In a budgetary crunch like the one we are seeing now, this is an utter waste of funds, time, and other resources. Maybe good in premise, but let’s get through the current crisis before we deal with minor issues like this particular one………….
Jared Harper • Sep 28, 2009 at 9:53 am
They can kindly give all current CSU students and families a wonderful gesture with pride and honor by giving back the money they continuosly take by increasing fees.
Jared Harper • Sep 28, 2009 at 4:53 pm
They can kindly give all current CSU students and families a wonderful gesture with pride and honor by giving back the money they continuosly take by increasing fees.
Dave Duncan • Sep 28, 2009 at 3:14 am
This is a wonderful gesture that will be welcomed with pride and honor by the families of those whose lives were ravaged by war.
Dave Duncan • Sep 28, 2009 at 10:14 am
This is a wonderful gesture that will be welcomed with pride and honor by the families of those whose lives were ravaged by war.
Jared Harper • Sep 28, 2009 at 1:09 am
Didnt i tell ya, Now they are gonna say they did something good, but will they give honorary degrees to victims of this blasted budegt cut crisis? Yeah right.
Jared Harper • Sep 28, 2009 at 8:09 am
Didnt i tell ya, Now they are gonna say they did something good, but will they give honorary degrees to victims of this blasted budegt cut crisis? Yeah right.