Winter trip to Japan reaffirms 50-year TIU partnership

The relationship between Willamette University and Tokyo International University (TIU) dates back to a letter sent in 1965, when Japanese academic Taizo Kaneko wrote to a number of American colleges and universities seeking cultural and academic exchange. The single response was from then-Willamette University President G. Herbert Smith, and he accepted the offer.

Many dedicated people on both sides of the relationship have worked tirelessly over the ensuing years to grow this relationship, especially those integral to establishing the Tokyo International University of America (TIUA) in 1989 here at Willamette.

In January 2017, a small contingent of Willamette University educators and administrators traveled to Japan to further reaffirm our mutual relationship with TIU.

In early January, Atkinson Graduate School of Management Dean Debra Ringold (center, in picture above), Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Carol Long (left, in picture above), and Vice President for Planning, Facilities & External Affairs Jim Bauer "journeyed to Tokyo to work with our colleagues at Tokyo International University.  We discussed ways in which to strengthen the 50 year relationship between TIU and Willamette University," Ringold said. "In the future we look forward to welcoming TIU students to our BA/MBA."

Ringold, Long and Bauer were joined by TIUA Executive Vice President Gunnar Gundersen (right, in picture above).