Hope College celebrated its 50-year friendship with Meiji Gakuin University of Japan with a series of events on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 3–4.

Meiji Gakuin University is a Christian university with campuses in both Tokyo and Yokohama. The relationship began in 1965 with a summer program that brought Meiji Gakuin students to Hope, and has since expanded to include a similar program for Hope students, long-term student study-abroad, faculty exchanges and more.

Read about the history of the relationship, and learn how one alumnus from both institutions is still connected to the Hope family.

  • Alfredo Gonzales, Associate Provost and Dean for International and Multicultural Education. Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Andy Nakajima, associate professor of Japanese at Hope presented an address that explored Hope’s long ties with Japan, focusing on the college’s first Japanese students in the 1870s with a particular emphasis on Kumaji Kimura. Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Margaret Matsumoto discussed the work of her father, Toru Matsumoto, who was ordained in the Reformed Church in America and had been a member of the Meiji Gakuin University faculty. Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Margaret Matsumoto discussed the work of her father, Toru Matsumoto, who was ordained in the Reformed Church in America and had been a member of the Meiji Gakuin University faculty. Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Margaret Matsumoto and Elaine Tanis discussed the work of Toru Matsumoto, who was ordained in the Reformed Church in America and had been a member of the Meiji Gakuin University faculty.Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Margaret Matsumoto discussed the work of her father, Toru Matsumoto, who was ordained in the Reformed Church in America and had been a member of the Meiji Gakuin University faculty. Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • Photo by Greg Olgers on November 3, 2015
  • The college’s Chapel service featured a commemoration of the anniversary. Andy Nakajima, associate professor of Japanese Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin University, and John Knapp, president of Hope College. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • The college’s Chapel service featured a commemoration of the anniversary with comments by Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin University. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • The college’s Chapel service featured a commemoration of the anniversary. Andy Nakajima, associate professor of Japanese Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin University, and John Knapp, president of Hope College. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, president of Hope College and Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin Meiji Gakuin and Hope reaffirmed their ongoing relationship with a formal signing of an institutional agreement. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, president of Hope College and Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin sign an institutional agreement through which the university and college have pledged to continue their relationship. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, president of Hope College and Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin sign an institutional agreement through which the university and college have pledged to continue their relationship. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, president of Hope College and Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin sign an institutional agreement through which the university and college have pledged to continue their relationship. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Meiji Gakuin University of Japan and Hope marked their 50-year friendship with the planting of a Kwanzan cherry tree near the southwest entrance to the Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Meiji Gakuin University of Japan and Hope marked their 50-year friendship with the planting of a Kwanzan cherry tree near the southwest entrance to the Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. Pictured are Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin, and John Knapp, president of Hope College. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Meiji Gakuin University of Japan and Hope marked their 50-year friendship with the planting of a Kwanzan cherry tree near the southwest entrance to the Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. Pictured are Hiroyoshi Udono, president of Meiji Gakuin, and John Knapp, president of Hope College. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Meiji Gakuin University of Japan and Hope marked their 50-year friendship with the planting of a Kwanzan cherry tree near the southwest entrance to the Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Makoto Kanda, Yasuo Matsubara, Hiroyoshi Udono, Margaret Matsumoto,Ryoji Noda, and Atsushi Yoshii. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Tony Byrne, '16 Holland, Michigan. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • Keiko Yanai, Deputy Consul General of Japan (Chicago office), and Meiji Gakuin University Alumna. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, President of Hope College; Hiroyoshi Udono, President of MGU; Alfredo Gonzales, Associate Provost and Dean for International and Multicultural Education; Rich Ray, Provost, Keiji Yanagisawa, Superintendent of the Board of Education of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, President of Hope College; Hiroyoshi Udono, President of MGU; Keiji Yanagisawa, Superintendent of the Board of Education of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, President of Hope College; Rich Ray, Provost; Alfredo Gonzales, Associate Provost and Dean for International and Multicultural Education; Hiroyoshi Udono, President of MGU; Keiji Yanagisawa, Superintendent of the Board of Education of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015
  • John Knapp, President of Hope College; Hiroyoshi Udono, President of MGU; Keiji Yanagisawa, Superintendent of the Board of Education of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Rich Ray, Provost; Alfredo Gonzales, Associate Provost and Dean for International and Multicultural Education. Photo by Tom Renner on November 4, 2015

Related News

  1. Academics

    Book Explores History of Park Township

    A new history by Dr. Robert P. Swierenga of the A.C. Van Raalte Institute at Hope College provides a lasting chronicle of Park Township’s first 100 years—and more.

  2. Academics

    Hope College to Present Madrigal Feast on Dec. 11-12

    The Hope College Department of Music and Collegium Musicum will present the college’s annual Christmas Madrigal Dinner on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11-12, in the lobby of the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts.

  3. Academics

    Symposium on Oct. 23 to Consider “Music, Art and Placemaking”

    The fall Arts and Humanities Symposium at Hope College on Friday, Oct. 23, will explore “Music, Art and Placemaking,” featuring scholars from multiple disciplines discussing how public spaces can help to build community in their design and purpose.