A Message of Condolence Following the March 11 Earthquake
The faculty and staff of the Global and Transcultural Studies Department offers its deepest condolences to everyone who lost family members and friends in the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11th. Although these events were acts of nature and Japan has a long history of such disasters, we nonetheless have been shocked and saddened by the sheer magnitude of this tragedy. Yokohama is quite far from the devastated areas, but the images of human suffering immediately affect us all.
At the same time, the grim visions of destruction that pervade the media are counterbalanced by equally powerful depictions of human dignity and strength. We are humbled by the courage exhibited by the survivors, rescue workers, and technicians who give of themselves to aid those in greater need. Such acts of benevolence epitomize the spirit behind the “Do for Others” ideal.
The start of a new department is a time of joy and anticipation for the future. It should also be a time of reflection upon goals and aspirations. The Global and Transcultural Studies Department wants to train individuals who can meet the world’s challenges with a combination of technical knowledge and multicultural empathy. Although we may never face the trials now challenging the people of the Tohoku region, everyone in our new community—the faculty, students, and staff—can and should draw inspiration from their examples as we prepare to launch our program.
