Congratulations to Professor Emerita Laurel Rodd on her Imperial Commendation!
The Center for Asian Studies would like to congratulate Professor Emerita Laurel Rodd on her recent award of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, presented by the Japanese government in recognition of her distinguished achievements in and contributions to Japanese education and cultural research! Professor Rodd's contributions to the study of Japanese language and culture are difficult to overstate; she was instrumental in setting the foundations for the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations (ALC) at CU, she has served as both chair of the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations and director of the Center for Asian Studies, she presided over the American Association of Teachers of Japanese for six years, and has made immeasurable contributions in fostering intellectual curiousity and academic rigor in the study of Japan. Professor Rodd's most recent commendation, The Order of the Rising Sun, is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Japanese government. Professor Rodd was presented with the award by the US Consulate General of Japan in Denver earlier this month. Here is an excerpt from the Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine on the recent award ceremony:
"Rodd, professor emeritus of Japanese at the University of Colorado Boulder, shepherded what is now called the Asian Languages and Civilizations Department, which has grown to meet students’ steadily rising interest in Japanese language and culture.
In this and in other roles, Rodd has 'contributed greatly toward promoting understanding about Japan and Japanese education in the U.S.,' the Consulate General of Japan in Denver stated.
For her efforts, the Japanese government on Friday formally awarded her an imperial decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Japan makes this award to recognize distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture or preservation of the environment.
Other Coloradans who have won the award include the late Bill Hosokawa, a longtime editor at The Denver Post, and former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
Rodd called the award a 'nice career-topping event.' "
Congratulations, Professor Rodd!
The full Arts & Sciences Magazine article can be found .
