John Hiroshi Otomo, a San Joaquin Valley native, was awarded an honorary bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno two-thirds of a century after his college career was interrupted by his family’s internment at Gila River, Ariz.

Otomo, who is 87, received his diploma from university President John D. Welty on Thursday, Dec. 24 at City Hall in Selma, the Fresno County community where Otomo was born.

“It’s an honor,” Otomo said before the ceremony. “Having a degree after 67 years is something.”

Joining family and friends were California State University (CSU) Trustees Peter Mehas, Carol Chandler and Russel Statham, Selma Mayor Dennis Lujan and Fresno County Superior Court Judge Dale Ikeda, who has served as national legal counsel, board member and district governor of the Japanese American Citizens League.

It is the first honorary degree awarded by Fresno State through the Nisei College Diploma Project, which recognizes Japanese-American students at CSU campuses unable to complete college because of internment during World War II. It also is the first such award organized by a CSU campus since trustees approved the program in September.

An estimated 250 CSU students were affected by Executive Order 9066 in early 1942, when Japanese-Americans were relocated to isolated internment camps. About 80 Japanese-Americans were on campus when the order was issued, said Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for Student Affairs, who leads the Nisei Project at Fresno State.

In awarding the honorary degree to Otomo, President Welty said, “It is a privilege to — in some small way — recognize the sacrifice of this former Fresno State student.”

Despite dropping out of college, Welty said, Otomo “returned to Selma where he distinguished himself as a husband and father, in business and through community service … to become a success by most any measure.”

The diploma, added Welty, “symbolizes that even when opportunities are taken away, some individuals succeed, becoming role models of accomplishment and service.”

Welty and Oliaro said they’re hopeful that news about the honorary degree for Otomo will prompt families of other Japanese-American alumni to contact Fresno State. “We are committed to honoring as many of our alumni as possible who qualify for this honor,” Oliaro said.

Information about possible candidates for the honorary degrees and questions about the project should be directed to Oliaro’s office at 559.278.2541.