Opportunities for Support
To further implement the mission’s goals and expand its outreach, the Soga Japan Center is seeking partnerships.
WMU-Japan Speaker Series
The WMU Soga Japan Center proposes the establishment of a speaker series to expand our knowledge of Japan as follows:
- Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series, in which an alumnus is invited annually to make a presentation on campus on his or her career, Japan-U.S. Relations, or other designated topics;
- Visiting Speaker Series, in which an invited guest, usually an academic expert on Japanese culture or Japan-U.S. relations, makes a presentation on the WMU campus each semester.
- WMU Faculty Speaker Series, in which a WMU faculty member in Japanese Studies makes a presentation on campus each semester.
- A WMU in Japan Speaker Series, in which a designated WMU faculty member will annually travel to Japan to make a presentation to the many WMU alumni residing in Japan.
Faculty Research Travel Fund
The Soga Center plans to create an endowment to support research travel for WMU Japanese Studies faculty. In addition to creating travel resources for faculty, one campus-wide award would be made for a deserving student to conduct research.
Cultural Events/Film Series
An endowment is needed to create an ongoing resource for Japanese cultural events on the
WMU campus. The Cultural Events/Film Series Endowment will annually bring a Japanese visiting artist to campus for a musical performance, art exhibit or other cultural event. Similarly, a Japanese Studies Film Series would support two films per semester for the enrichment of the West Michigan community.
Soga Center Support Fund
The Soga Center wishes to create an endowment that will support the long-term viability and staffing needs of the Soga Center. Funding is needed to support the academic and travel endeavors of the Soga Center director, and to create a graduate assistant position, with the GA serving as the Soga Center administrative staff.
Cultural Exchange Support Fund
An endowment is needed to support study-abroad programs to Japan. Sustainable funds are being sought to support short-term study abroad programs, such as summer programs that are a few weeks in length, and also long-term study aboard experiences lasting six months to one year.
Endowed Chair in Japanese Studies
A named endowed chair in Japanese Studies will enable the University to honor or recruit an outstanding tenure track faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to his/her discipline within Japanese Studies. The endowed chair will serve as the director of the Soga Japan Center and be charged with building the WMU Japanese Studies program.