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Dear Soka Community and Friends,
I would like to welcome the entire campus community back to SUA as we begin our Fall semester. Last month, we welcomed the undergraduate Class of 2026, comprising 129 students from 20 countries around the world. The students participated in a weeklong orientation covering topics from SUA’s founding principles to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year, we also were able to hold our parent orientation in-person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The graduate Class of 2024, six individuals representing Ghana, Kenya, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, also arrived shortly after the undergraduates. Looking ahead, I am confident that given our success last year we can successfully navigate the challenges that Covid may present this year.
I am happy to share that the donor wall from our 20th anniversary celebration campaign has been installed on the second floor of Curie Hall outside the main conference room. Our Development staff sent plaques with a picture of each nameplate to donors who supported the campaign, every nameplate acknowledging a generous $2,000 donation to SUA. We have received so many thank you letters from these precious donors, sharing their delight and pride in the accomplishments of our alumni and the great expectations they have of our future graduates. I also sent thank you letters to the hundreds of alumni who supported this fundraising campaign. We are so appreciative of the support that allows us to fund financial aid for our students.
In his message to the undergraduate Class of 2026 and the ninth class of the Master’s program in Educational Leadership and Societal Change, our university founder Daisaku Ikeda shared his gratitude:
“I remain equally indebted to our SUA faculty who, together with our university staff and associates, have welcomed our two new classes by so diligently preparing for this day in the face of the ongoing pandemic and the manifold difficulties it has imposed on all of you. My appreciation is no less profound to our student body for your role in these preparations.”
I would also like to convey my own heartfelt appreciation to all staff, faculty, students, and SUA supporters for the successful launch of our new semester. Last week we started a new tradition with a campus-wide Welcome Back celebration, featuring good music, games, and food, including popular food trucks.
Once again, welcome back to campus and thank you to our SUA supporters. I look forward to another year of growth and development at Soka University of America!
Sincerely,
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