The following was excerpted from press releases issued by the California State University system.
California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees: Seeking Former Students Who May Be Eligible
LONG BEACH, CA — The California State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to grant honorary bachelor’s degrees to Japanese Americans who were enrolled at CSU campuses and forced to internment camps during World War II.
The first degree was awarded September 23, 2009, to Aiko Nishi Uwate, a Japanese American woman who was removed from San Francisco State University and sent to the Gila River concentration camp in Arizona. The posthumous degree was accepted by Uwate’s daughter, Vivian Uwate Nelson, a resident of Los Angeles County.
The Trustees’ action followed legislation authored by Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani in 2009 that directs California’s postsecondary education institutions to extend honorary degrees to individuals who were unable to complete their post-secondary education due to their forced incarceration during World War II.
“AB 37 is an opportunity for our state to honor Americans of Japanese descent who suffered a significant injustice,” said Furutani. “This legislation reflects our state’s commitment to correcting this ‘unfinished business’ for a waning population of deserving students.”
By some historical accounts, nearly 250 Americans of Japanese descent were students attending CSU campuses when the order for removal was issued. Campuses established by 1942 include Chico, Fresno, Humboldt, Pomona, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Jose and the California Maritime Academy. While records show some students went on to receive a university degree, many did not.
“Hundreds of students were removed from colleges and universities, forced to delay or abandon their dreams based solely on their ancestry,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “The internment of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants during World War II represents the worst of a nation driven by fear and prejudice. By issuing honorary degrees, we hope to achieve a small right in the face of such grave wrongs.”
The California State University is asking for public assistance in identifying individuals who qualify for the honorary degree. Former CSU Students (or families of students) whose studies were interrupted due to the internment are urged to call (562) 951-4723, or send e-mail to: nisei@calstate.edu. Further information is available at Nisei Diploma Project – CSU.
You can also watch a video below featuring Reed, who spoke of the CSU’s desires to honor their former Japanese American students who were forced to leave their respective CSU campuses during World War II.
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January 25, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Sad it took until now, when most are long dead. It could have healed a lot of broken hearts 40 years ago.
January 25, 2010 at 7:32 PM
“Sad it took until now, when most are long dead. It could have healed a lot of broken hearts 40 years ago.” Yes.
January 25, 2010 at 9:36 PM
So much potential, so wrongly betrayed! Thank you to all the advocates who are getting the people recognized, even if they are gone from this Earth.
January 26, 2010 at 11:13 PM
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February 10, 2010 at 8:48 PM
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February 16, 2010 at 11:56 AM
[...] California State University campuses throughout California will award honorary degrees to their former Japanese American students who were forced to leave their respective campuses during World War II, per California Assembly Bill 37, which was signed into law in October 2009. If you, or someone you know might be eligible, click on: California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees. [...]
March 5, 2010 at 2:40 PM
[...] California State University campuses throughout California will award honorary degrees to their former Japanese American students who were forced to leave their respective campuses during World War II, per California Assembly Bill 37, which was signed into law in October 2009. If you, or someone you know might be eligible, click on: California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees. [...]
March 12, 2010 at 6:49 PM
[...] Stories: California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees SDSU: A Matter Of Restitution SDSU: A Wonderful Gesture California State University Searches For [...]
March 17, 2010 at 1:47 PM
[...] Related Stories:SDSU: A Matter Of RestitutionSDSU: A Wonderful GestureCalifornia State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees [...]
March 26, 2010 at 3:20 AM
[...] California State University campuses throughout California will award honorary degrees to their former Japanese American students who were forced to leave their respective campuses during World War II, per California Assembly Bill 37, which was signed into law in October 2009. If you, or someone you know might be eligible, click on: California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees. [...]
March 26, 2010 at 3:21 AM
[...] California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees « … Says: March 26, 2010 at 2:54 AM [...]
May 18, 2010 at 11:55 AM
[...] San Diego State University Awards Honorary Degrees To Former Japanese American Students May 18, 2010 — Gann Matsuda On May 17, 2010, San Diego State University honored its former Japanese American students who were forced to leave the campus due to their imprisonment in American concentration camps during World War II by awarding them honorary degrees (see California State University System To Grant Honorary Degrees To Japanese American Internees). [...]