2 0 TH A N N I VE RS A R Y C E LE B R A T ION
On May 2, 2021
3,000 viewers tuned into Soka University of America’s YouTube channel to share in 1½ hours of virtual celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of the Aliso Viejo campus. The event started with a preshow giving a student-led tour of campus, followed by a live greeting from alumni MCs Corina Giselle, Class of 2015, and Zane Romano, Class of 2009. An introduction video shared the history of SUA’s founding and was followed by a blessing song from the Acjachemen tribe. Tribal members originally blessed the campus in 2001 as SUA acknowledged their history on the land. SUA President Edward Feasel shared that both the City of Aliso Viejo and the County of Orange had declared May 3, 2021 to be “Soka University of America Day” in honor of the university’s 20th Anniversary in Aliso Viejo. Other resolutions and proclamations were received from the California State Assembly, California Senate and U.S. Congress. Donors around the world were acknowledged for their many years of support that have made so many achievements at Soka University possible. Dr. Feasel also announced that SUA has received a $1 million matching grant from the John Stauffer Charitable Trust to provide summer research fellowships to SUA students in chemistry and biochemistry. Soka University’s goal is to raise the $1 million match over the next years fellowships beginning in summer 2022. He also shared a new fund-raising campaign for diversity scholarships at SUA. Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham announced in honor of the 20th Anniversary, the Board is honoring the founder of Soka University
10
www.soka.edu
