FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

Two from Marshall selected to receive 2006 Sasakawa Fellowships

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University faculty members  Dr. Dallas Brozik, professor of finance and economics, and  John Van Kirk, professor of English, are among 20 faculty members nationwide who have been selected to receive 2006 Sasakawa Fellowships.

This is the first time two faculty members from Marshall have been chosen to receive the fellowships, which are offered through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

The fellowships offer faculty members an intensive one-month experience designed to study aspects of Japanese life and culture with the aim of incorporating information about Japan into undergraduate courses.

The  i nstitute takes place in June at San Diego State University.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn from scholars, business leaders, artists and journalists about Japanese civilization, history, language, business and education.  The institute involves intensive seminars, lectures, readings, and other activities.

While modern Japan serves as the focus for the program, participants are provided a foundation in the pre-modern history and culture of Japan as well.

“What most people do not realize is that professors are really permanent students,” said Brozik.  “There is nothing we like better than having time to dig into something new and find out about other people and places.  The job of teaching, though, is incredibly time intensive, so it is only rarely that we get a chance to devote ourselves to full-time study.   I have no doubt that I am going to enjoy this whole experience, because I will get a chance to be a student again.  And we all know there is nothing in the whole wide world better than being a student.”

The faculty advisor and chief instructor of the Marshall University Aikido Club, Van Kirk says he has long been interested in Japanese culture.

“I’ve been fascinated by Japanese culture since I was a boy and my father would tell me about his experiences in occupied Japan shortly after WWII,” Van Kirk said. “I have studied Japanese martial arts for many years.  Also, as a teacher of international literature, I have taught several Japanese novels in translation.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Japan and bring that knowledge back to my students.”

Brozik sees an international future for West Virginia and its citizens. “I try to introduce international topics into all of my classes, and the Sasakawa Institute will help broaden my perspective of this area of the world,” he said.  “There are many opportunities for our students on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, and after this institute I will be better able to bring that information into my classroom.”   

Two other Marshall faculty member were awarded Sasakawa Fellowships – Karl Winton of communication studies in 2004 and Jonathan Cox of the art department in 2005. 

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