Hokkaido delegation visits to celebrate longstanding ties

Pageantry marks anniversaries of international ties

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

Chancellor David Scott chats with President Tambo and former Hokkaido University President Mikio Arie (right) before the convocation at the William Smith Clark Memorial.

he 125-year-old bonds linking the University and Hokkaido University in Japan were celebrated Sept. 13 during ceremonies at a memorial honoring the leader who forged those ties and led both institutions: William Smith Clark.

     Surrounded by the monument highlighting Clark's pioneering roles at the Massachusetts Agricultural College and Sapporo Agricultural College, officials from both universities also hailed the 10th anniversary of a "sister-state" relationship between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Hokkaido prefecture.

     During the early afternoon convocation, President William M. Bulger awarded an honorary doctorate to Hokkaido University President Norihito Tambo.

     Also honored at the event were members of both the Hokkaido/Massachusetts Society (HOMAS), and the Massachusetts/Hokkaido Sister State Association.

Hokkaido University President Norihito Tambo receives an honorary doctorate from President William M. Bulger as (from left) state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, President Emeritus David C. Knapp and state Rep. Ellen Story assist with Tambo's doctoral hood.

     Following the convocation, participants visited the Du Bois Library to view the Benjamin Smith Lyman Collection of Japanese materials. The delegation also attended an exhibition of artworks by students from UMass and Hokkaido in the Student Union Gallery.

     In the evening, Chancellor David Scott hosted a dinner in honor of President Tambo.

     Earlier in the day, officials from both schools visited Clark's gravesite in Amherst's West Cemetery, where associate provost and Amherst Select Board chair Bryan Harvey addressed the visiting delegation.

     Clark, who served as the third president of Massachusetts Agricultural College, was invited to Japan in 1876 to help establish an agricultural college in Sapporo. Clark, who served as the first president of the Japanese college, is still revered at the institution, where his parting words, "Boys, be ambitious," are often invoked to inspire students.

Wearing traditional dress, a group of women from the Hokkaido delegation watch last week's ceremonies.

     Last week's events were organized by the International Programs Office.