The University of Puget Sound gave 36 Japanese Americans, former students, honorary degrees on May 17. Good for them.
The University of Puget Sound awarded honorary degrees to 36 Japanese American students at the 2009 Commencement Ceremony on May 17. In 1942, the students’ education had been abruptly stopped when they were sent to relocation camps during World War II.
The students were nominated for degrees by a Puget Sound trustee — nominations which were quickly supported and passed by the university’s faculty, staff, and board of trustees.
“Each loyal student removed from campus at the time represented a life and an education suddenly interrupted,” said university President Ronald Thomas. “By granting these degrees now, we complete a circle, welcoming these individuals into the ranks of alumni and returning them to full inclusion in the Puget Sound community.”
The university is still on a search for more students who had been interned while attending college. ♦