Otterbein Alumni Gatherings in Japan and South Korea Otterbein was in the air in Japan as alumni gathered to greet President Krendl, meet old friends and make new ones in Kyoto and Tokyo in February. In Kyoto, Noyuri Ariga ’52, “elder statesman” of the Japanese alumni, gave the opening greeting and “kampai” toast, as the alumni from the western area of Japan enjoyed traditional Kyoto cuisine and an elegant Japanese garden in a setting just opposite the Old Imperial Palace. The centerpiece of the meeting was President Krendl’s talk about Otterbein today and in the future. Alumni from eastern Japan gathered in Tokyo at a luncheon organized by Akiko Kato Suzuki ’95 and Yoshiro “Hiro” Suzuki ’93, with years from 1955 to 2011 represented. Tatsuo Tsuda ’55 greeted the gathering and Kazuya Shimba ’90, member of the Japanese Diet, gave a humorous and heartfelt toast, including a display of his collection of Otterbein pennants, Ohio flags and other memorabilia. Kansai Gaidai University exchange student, Sarah Valero ’12, thanked Tsuda-san for establishing the Tatsuo Tsuda Japan Education Endowment that helped bring her to Japan, and Asami Sakakima ’11, expressed her gratitude to the alumni for the Japanese Alumni Lillian K. Frank International Student Award that she won last year. The alumni enjoyed meeting what could be the next generation of Otterbein Cardinals, since several families brought children to the gathering. President Krendl’s presentation inspired the alumni, emphasizing a continued tradition of personal attention, friendliness and inclusion. The president followed with an update on the advances in calendar, curriculum and infrastructure that are taking place. – Submitted by Lyle Barkhymer ‘64 Noyuri Ariga ’52 Honored His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan honored educator and harpsichord virtuoso Noyuri Ariga ’52 with The Order of the Sacred Treasure (瑞宝章, Zuihō-shō) in Tokyo in 2010. This award,
established in 1888 and awarded also to women since 1919, is given for long and meritorious service to the nation. A U.S. equivalent might be the Congressional Gold Medal. Noyuri gathered with the other awardees in Tokyo at the National Theater for a koto musical performance and words of congratulation and greeting from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Then they went by bus to Noyuri Ariga ’52 the Imperial Palace and proceeded up a long corridor to the Great Hall. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor entered and graciously congratulated each person who received the award. According to Noyuri, he spoke especially kind words to her, stopping a moment and asking, “How are you? Please stay healthy, and be sure to keep up your good work.”
Kyoto/Kansai group Front row: Kozue Tsuda, Meg Clark Barkhymer ’68, Noyuri Ariga ’52, Sarah Valero ’13, Kayoko Yakota Kishinoue ’02. Back row: Lyle Barkhymer ’64, Kathy Krendl, Masaaki Tsuda ’66, Toshikata Amino (friend), Ruth Amino (friend). Tokyo Gathering Front Row: Aiga Fukuda, Koji Takeo ’06, Chris Musick, Tatsuo Tsuda ’55, Kathy Krendl, Lyle Barkhymer ’64, Shunta Suzuki, Kyoko Sako. Second Row: Jun Murakami, Makirei Fukuda, Sachiko Ujiie Shinkai ’79, Ami Hamano ’07, Kyoko Tsuda (Mrs. Tatsuo Tsuda), Meg Clark Barkhymer ’68, Asami Sakakima ’11, Sarah Valero ’13, Kyoko Tsuda (Mrs. Yutaka Tsuda), Akiko Kato Suzuki ’95. Back Row: Shawn Rogers ’06, Hugo Fukuda, Yuichi Tsuda ’64, Kazuya Shimba ’90, Mika Matsumura ’91, Shigeru Kamada ’95, Masako Aoki Ashida ’62, Soichi Igarashi ’04, Yutaka Tsuda ’84, Ryosuk Suzuki, Yoshihiro Suzuki ’93. O tte r b e in To w e r s | Sp r ing 2 012 |
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