Dr. Kirk R. Patterson — dean of Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), since 2002 — has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2007.

Patterson, who led TUJ through a period of unprecedented growth, said that he is leaving TUJ for personal reasons, including a desire to attend to family matters. He will be returning to his native Canada.

"We are grateful for Kirk's service," said Temple President Ann Weaver Hart from the university's Main Campus in Philadelphia. "During his tenure, Temple University Japan strengthened its financial footing, increased its academic quality and nearly doubled its undergraduate and total enrollment. Much of Temple's reputation as a truly international university is built on the success of Temple's campus in Tokyo; we are deeply committed to TUJ’s continued vitality and growth."

President Hart announced that she will recommend to the Board of Trustees that Patterson be named Dean Emeritus on Jan. 1, 2008. An international search for his successor will begin immediately.

The oldest and largest foreign university in Japan, TUJ is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In 2005, Japan's Ministry of Education designated TUJ the nation's first "Foreign University, Japan Campus." A model in international education, TUJ remains the only university in Japan where comprehensive programs in English for degree and non-degree students are offered and where students can earn American bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees without leaving Japan. Nearly 3,000 students from about 40 different countries take courses at TUJ's Azabu Hall and Mita Hall, located in Tokyo's Minato City, with which TUJ recently signed a cooperative agreement to carry out joint projects and activities. TUJ also has campuses in Osaka and Fukuoka.

"Serving as dean of TUJ during this period of growth has been an honor, a privilege and the perfect capstone to my career," Patterson said. "I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance that I have received from everybody at Main Campus and from my TUJ colleagues. Building on the foundation that has been established over 25 years of dedication and hard work by many faculty and staff and with President Hart’s support and leadership, I am sure that TUJ will continue to be a pioneer in international education.” 

A 25-year resident of Japan, Patterson came to TUJ after service as Japan/Korea regional vice president, corporate communications, at American International Group in Tokyo and president of the Japan subsidiary of Gavin Anderson & Company, a leading financial public relations company. He also co-founded IR Japan, Inc., Japan's first investor relations agency.

President Hart will visit Tokyo in November to honor TUJ's 25th anniversary.