Posted April 27, 2011
Temple event reaffirms commitment to Japan campus
With Japan slowly beginning to recover from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and its aftermath, Temple University will hold a day-long symbolic rededication ceremony in Philadelphia as a gesture of commitment to Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and the people of Japan on Monday, May 2.
Temple President Ann Weaver Hart urged the Temple community to support TUJ and Japanese students, staff and alumni around the world by attending the event, which will include a Daruma doll ceremony; presentations by Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, consul general of Japan in New York, and Dennis Morikawa, honorary consul general of Japan in Philadelphia; a video message from TUJ; faculty-led teach-ins on a wide variety of Japanese subjects; student testimonials; a tour of the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park; and a reception.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. in Shusterman Hall at Temple's Main Campus. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to R.S.V.P. online at the rededication ceremony's web site — especially those who plan to attend the portions of the ceremony in Fairmount Park (buses will be provided).
Daruma dolls, Japanese talismans of good luck, are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck. Tradition calls for the owner to paint one eye of the doll when beginning a task toward a desired goal and to paint the other eye when the goal is achieved. The first eye will be painted by President Hart and Ambassador Hiroki on May 2; the second will be painted in Tokyo when President Hart attends TUJ's graduation ceremony in June.
Teach-in topics will include the role of social media in post-earthquake Japan, the Japanese economy, media coverage and Japan's energy future.
Although the event will last from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., event co-organizer Elizabeth H. Barber, associate dean of Temple's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, said that Temple students and staff are welcome to participate as much as they wish.
"We'd love to spend the day with you," said Barber, who will deliver welcoming remarks. "If you're busy, we understand — stop by when you can."