Chancellor Emeritus Tom Case conferred with Autumn Imperial Decoration from the Government of Japan

UAA Chancellor Emeritus Tom Case (2011-17) is among the recipients of the 2018 Autumn Imperial Decorations awarded by the government of Japan. In recognition of his contributions to strengthening the mutual understanding and promoting academic exchanges between Japan and the United States, he was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, at the 2018 Autumn Conferment of Decoration Ceremony, which took place Thursday, March 7, 2019, in the UAA Spine.

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="large" ids="71829,71830"]

As chancellor of UAA, Tom Case made important contributions to strengthening the mutual understanding between Japan and the United States through cooperation with the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage in promoting the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program-a competitive employment opportunity that allows selected college and university graduates to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan for at least one year. Most participants work as assistant language teachers in public and private schools; others work as coordinators for international relations at local government offices.

Mr. Case also played an important role in establishing the UAA Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language and Culture. The center was established to commemorate Alaskan JET Program participant and UAA graduate, Montgomery Dickson, who perished in the March 11, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The center's main mission is to promote and enhance future generation's understanding of Japan. He also contributed greatly to promoting academic exchanges between UAA Japanese language programs and universities in Japan.

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="large" ids="71828,71832"]

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Case on his receipt of this prestigious honor.

March Archive