The UCLA International Institute announces the donations of three endowed chairs and program support in areas of substantial interest to the Institute. Each of these generous gifts represents a major contribution to the Institute's mission: to educate global citizens about the contemporary world and the historical forces that have shaped it.
The foundation named for UCLA Emeritus Professor of Surgery Paul I. Terasaki, a pioneer in the development of tissue typing and transplantation surgery, in December 2005 provided generous permanent funding for what will henceforth be named the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies at UCLA. The Terasakis' $4 million donation brings their total support of the Center, housed in the International Institute and the UCLA Asia Institute, to $5 million. The newly donated funds are to be divided into equal quarters in support of the following Center constituents: the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Chair in Contemporary Japanese Studies, postdoctoral and graduate fellowships to attract emerging talent from the United States and Japan, Center activities including the forging of relationships with other universities and think tanks, and community outreach programs designed to engage K-12 students, Japanese-Americans, and others.
In November 2005 the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation generously agreed to endow the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Chair in Israel Studies at UCLA with a $1 million donation. The Gilbert Foundation funds programs in the United States and Israel to promote tolerance, education, health, and the arts. The holder of this important Chair will address key issues on contemporary Israel, and will be a catalytic institution builder linking UCLA with community leaders and policy elites.
In June 2005 Mr. and Mrs. Dong Soon Im endowed the Dong Soon Im and Mi Ja Im Chair in Korean Christianity at UCLA with a generous $1 million donation. This Chair will expand on research and teaching already underway in our Korean Studies Center.
We at the Institute wish to express undivided thanks to each of these benefactors for supporting our mission.
We also acknowledge key support provided by UCLA leaders and staff in securing these significant commitments. UCLA Executive Dean Patricia O'Brien has served as chief negotiator in each of the three cases. Thanks are also owed to former Vice Provost and Dean Geoff Garrett, to Director of Development Steve Gamer, and to the rest of the development staff in the College of Letters and Science.
The first two of the endowed chairs described above will be housed in the International Institute; the third, in the College of Letters and Science. The formation of search committees for the three chairs awaits required approvals from the Academic Senate and the President of the University.
Ronald Rogowski
Interim Vice Provost and Dean
UCLA International Institute