Dec 16

Grant made in honor of Taylor Anderson to strengthen Japan Studies at Randolph Macon College

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R-MC RECEIVES GRANT IN HONOR OF TAYLOR ANDERSON ’08

http://www.rmc.edu/News/11-12-13%20-%20Taylor%20Anderson.Japan%20Foundation.aspx

Randolph-Macon College has received a grant from The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) to strengthen Japanese Studies, a part of the college’s Asian Studies program, in memory of R-MC alumna Taylor Anderson ’08. Anderson perished during the March 2011 earthquake & tsunami that devastated parts of Japan.

“We are pleased to receive this generous support from The Japan Foundation,” said Randolph-Macon President Robert R. Lindgren. “This grant will help us increase our students’ awareness and appreciation of Japanese culture and will aid the college in laying the groundwork for a lifetime of engagement and exchange with our Japanese neighbors.”

The Japanese Foundation grant, entitled “Honoring the Life, Work, and Good Spirit of Taylor Anderson – Enhancing Japanese Studies at Randolph-Macon College,” will help Randolph-Macon reach its goal of increasing course offerings in Japanese language and culture. The college received $100,000 for this academic year with the anticipation of receiving additional funds during the five year duration of the grant, which will allow for faculty travel to Japan to develop broader course offerings and establish student travel courses to Japan.

R-MC’s Asian Studies Progam will also develop and offer a spring workshop and curriculum website for Virginia elementary, middle, and high school teachers of history, geography, world language, and literature. This seminar workshop will be led by R-MC Professor Todd Munson and provide teachers the opportunity to engage in the study, analysis and discussion of topics related to Japanese history, geography, and culture. It will provide ten hours of instruction and will convene on the Randolph-Macon campus beginning in spring 2012.

The Japan Foundation grant will also support the following Randolph-Macon initiatives in the current academic year:

  • The Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Scholarship program for students who develop exceptional Japanese language skills. One or more students will be given financial support to participate in an intensive, accredited summer language immersion program in either the United States or Japan.
  • The Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Japanese Scholar-In-Residence will allow R-MC to hire a Japanese Studies scholar. The scholar will teach classes in Japanese literature, film, and/or culture and also offer co-curricular programs. In future years, the Scholar-In-Residence will teach courses in Japanese language.
  • The Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Lecture will support the college in its effort to share this grant beyond the R-MC community by hosting a lecture on Japanese literature or culture. This lecture will be held in March 2012 to commemorate the Great East Japan Earthquake.
  • The Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Memorial Collection of Japanese Literature and Film will provide additional volumes to R-MC’s McGraw-Page Library’s strong collection of Japanese classics. This is a special tribute to Taylor Anderson ’08 who was an avid reader.

Taylor Anderson, who had a lifelong love of Japan, graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree inInternational Studies and minors in Asian Studies and Political Science. She joined The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program and was assigned to teach in Ishinomaki, Japan. The JET program is one of the world’s largest exchange programs and is aimed at developing strong international relationships between Japan and other nations.

“This grant will help to continue strengthening relationships with a country she loved and Randolph-Macon College,” said Anderson’s father, Andy. We are grateful to both the college and the Japan Foundation for so generously supporting this project in her memory and honor.”


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