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New Burke Museum curator an advocate for indigenous cultures

The Burke Museum of Natural History’s new Curator of Native American Anthropology is passionate about preserving indigenous culture. A native of Kodiak, Alaska, Dr. Sven Haakanson has conducted research and lived in Siberia. He received the MacArthur Foundation’s “genius” grant in 2007 for his work advocating for Native cultures, and plans to conduct further research in Russia.

Read more from Columns Magazine…

US, Japanese leaders celebrate longstanding relations

Ceremonial drummers at the tree dedication ceremony
Ceremonial drummers at the tree dedication ceremony Photo: Todd Gardiner for Team Photogenic
UW President Michael K. Young and Japanese Consul General Masahiro Omura
UW President Michael K. Young and Japanese Consul General Masahiro Omura Photo: Todd Gardiner for Team Photogenic

Japanese General Consul Masahiro Omura spoke today near Drumheiller Fountain today to celebrate a recent gift of cherry trees to the UW American Ethnic Studies department from the people of Japan.

Also speaking at the ceremony were former congressman and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and UW President Michael K. Young.

The new cherry trees, installed on central campus overlooking Drumheiller Fountain, were presented in honor of longstanding relations between the U.S. and Japan. They also honor the many Japanese and Japanese American students who have attended UW since 1894.

Read more from UW Today…

Launch party celebrates book by study abroad students

A May 12 launch party will celebrate the publication of TIPS to Study Abroad: Simple Letters for Complex Engagement, a book by students from Professor Anu Taranath’s 2013 study abroad to Bangalore, India.

TIPS to Study Abroad flyer

Through the unique medium of students’ letters to Things, Ideas and People (TIPS), the book “offers a simple method to help travelers- students and tourists alike- reflect on how moving from one culture to another sparks questions about identity, society and the meaning of travel itself.”

Professor Taranath’s unique approach to teaching abroad integrates on-campus classroom learning with international immersion. Students participate in quarter-long seminars on campus before and after the study abroad to allow time for in-depth preparation for and reflection on the experience. TIPS to Study Abroad is the culmination of the group’s experience and learning.

Community members are welcome at the book launch party at 7pm on Monday, May 12. The event will be held at University Temple.

UW Bothell hosts Middle East expert Lawrence Pintak

UW Bothell’s American Muslim Research Institute is hosting a lecture by Middle East expert Lawrence Pintak on March 31. Karem Dana, director of the American Muslim Research Institute and a UW Bothell professor, will moderate. The talk will provide insight into “how Islam inside and outside of the U.S. affects the lives of American Muslims, and vice versa, with specific attention paid to U.S. foreign policy potential implications,” says Dana.

Read more from UW Bothell…

Michelle Obama praises UW student in Peking University speech

Philmon HaileFirst Lady Michelle Obama praised UW senior Philmon Haile during a recent speech at Peking University, quoting from his remarks at a Washington D.C. event celebrating President Obama’s 100,000 Strong initiative.

Philmon has studied abroad several times, interning at the US Embassy Beijing, conducting field research in rural China and volunteering in Jordan. He was recently awarded the Rangel Graduate Fellowship, which supports graduate study and professional development in preparation for a career in the Foreign Service.

Read First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks…