This is a picture of Nesei students who had attended San Jose State University.
Due to the internment camps during World War II 250 students were not able to continue their education. During the University-wide commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 29 San Jose State University and five other California State University campuses which are: Fresno, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo and Pomona are providing a list of 250 Nesei students honorary diplomas. They will be receiving special Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters as part of the CSU’s Nisei Honorary Degree Project.
“By awarding these degrees, the California State University hopes to help heal the wounds of injustice suffered by these Japanese Americans, to honor their academic intentions and to welcome them back to the CSU as alumni,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
Some of these students have continued to make contributions to the Japanese community and to San Jose State University over the years but many of these students have either moved away or have changed their names because of marriage. Therefore, the Japanese American community organizations are helping to locate the former students to be able to celebrate.
The CSU systems are asking for help in contacting more alumni or the surviving families of past alumni who would be eligible in receiving this degree. I believe it is unfortunate that many families had to wait this long to receive what rightfully belonged to them.
Sources: Retrieved March 31, 2010, from
http://www.calstate.edu/PA/News/2010/release/nisei-students.shtml
The Spartan Daily Newspaper of San Jose State University
No comments:
Post a Comment