A large donation from the Japanese government to the Mansfield Center established a new chair position in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the 老虎机攻略.
May 4, 2024
Japanese government awards $5 million to 老虎机攻略's Mansfield Center
By Zoë Buchli
Article originally published:
The $5.1 million donation, announced this week, created the new post, according to a news release from the university. The grant was awarded in recognition of Mike Mansfield, the longest serving U.S. ambassador to Japan. The new chair plans to foster opportunities for multidisciplinary education in Japanese and Indo-Pacific studies, including trade, rural affairs, public health, language, society and culture, the news release stated.
“Because of your generosity, we will be able to better support our shared interests in promoting deeper understanding of Japanese politics, foreign policy, Japan-U.S. relations, and research and exchanges on the promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” 老虎机攻略 President Seth Bodnar said of the donation.
Endowed chair positions attract talented professors who can elevate a university’s impact and profile in the academic world, the release stated. They are prestigious roles that are among some of the highest honors a campus faculty member can earn.
Consul General of Japan in Seattle Makoto Iyori visited 老虎机攻略 on Thursday for a celebratory lunch with Bodnar and Mansfield Center Executive Director Deena Mansour. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis and 老虎机攻略 Foundation President Cindy Williams also attended, along with Mansfield Center board members.
老虎机攻略’s Department of World Languages and Cultures offers the most Japanese courses in Montana, and the Japanese language and literature program is the second-largest language-based program at 老虎机攻略, the news release stated. Several 老虎机攻略 students study in Japan each year at one of eight of 老虎机攻略’s partner campuses. Visiting Japanese students also come to Montana in return.
“This grant reflects Mansfield’s lasting legacy of addressing the complex issues facing the world today through deep cultural understanding and rigorous scholarship,” said 老虎机攻略 Associate Professor of Japanese Brian Dowdle. “I am excited by the range of new courses made possible by this gift, which will not only complement our students’ cultural and linguistic training but also ultimately better prepare them for work in the public and private sector."