JUNE 2021 | SOKA UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Ed Feasel at commencement 2021
Dear Soka community and friends,

I would like to express my appreciation to the entire campus community, our generous donors, precious alumni, and all of our supporters for your efforts and assistance during the past year. As we faced a global pandemic that impacted the way we functioned as a community, I was deeply moved by the genuine care that we shared for one another during this time. 
 
May was a busy and inspiring month for SUA. We began the final month of the academic year with the 20th anniversary virtual celebration and concluded it with the virtual commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021.
 
Despite the many challenges, our students persevered in their academic pursuits and also found creative ways to connect and engage with one another. Our community also immersed itself in the various activities and events surrounding our 20th anniversary effort of recommitting to our founding principles as given to us by university founder Daisaku Ikeda. 
 
In this final issue of the Soka Newsletter for 2020-2021, we highlight the academic achievements of fourth-year students who were selected as recipients of the inaugural Lei Loi Tak Memorial Scholarship and the Makiguchi Scholarship to support their pursuit of graduate studies.
 
We are very fortunate to have generous benefactors and supporters who, based on their belief in the potential of our students to contribute to society, provide financial support to our graduates. I would also like to acknowledge this year’s Founder’s Award recipient, Shunji Fueki. Each year, this award is given to a graduating student for their academic excellence and contributions to the community. Congratulations, Shunji!
 
This summer, our staff and faculty will transition back to campus in preparation for the return of students for the 2021-2022 academic year. I look forward to welcoming our students back to SUA and reconnecting as a community in the Fall semester. I hope to see many of you at the upcoming World Summit of Educators commemorating the 25th anniversary of Mr. Ikeda’s address at Columbia University on education for global citizenship.
 
Please have a safe and healthy summer with your loved ones.
 
Sincerely,
President Edward M. Feasel's signature
Ed Feasel
President
Celebrating 20 Years of Educating Global Citizens in Aliso Viejo
Thousands of members of the SUA community gathered online May 2 for the university’s 20th anniversary celebration. The 90-minute event featured SUA’s leadership, students, alumni, donors, and, in a special highlight, President Edward Feasel reading a congratulatory message from SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda. Read
Abigail Meyer in cap and gown
Class of 2021’s Resilience Celebrated in Virtual Commencement
Called to action by a 92-year-old American civil rights icon, the Soka University of America 2021 graduates celebrated from worldwide locations in a virtual commencement. The May 28 event honored the university’s 17th undergraduate class and the sixth class of the master's program in Educational Leadership and Societal Change. Read
"As the world faces unprecedented trials, SUA’s mission to challenge and build a century based on the sanctity of life with an unwavering philosophy and solidarity is growing."
— Daisaku Ikeda, 20th Anniversary Celebration, 2021
Shunji Fueki
SUA Names 2021’s Outstanding Graduates
Campus leader Shunji Fueki was among the 2021 graduates who were recognized for their academic excellence and contributions to the university. Read
Isolde Pierce and Trey Carlisle
Two Soka Alumni Receive a Second Fulbright Fellowship
After the pandemic disrupted their plans to teach and conduct research abroad, Isolde Pierce ‘20 and Trey Carlisle ‘20 were awarded second fellowships. It is the first time the Fulbright Student Program has offered grants in consecutive years. Read
Educating for Global Citizenship: 
Building an Equitable, Peaceful, and Sustainable World
JUNE 13-14 | VIRTUAL
Curie Hall science lab exterior
SUA Awarded $1 Million Challenge Grant to Boost Science Research
The John Stauffer Charitable Trust has awarded Soka University of America a $1 million challenge grant to establish an endowment to support student summer research in chemistry and biochemistry. Read
Team Circular pitches concept via online platform
Students Make a Big Splash at UCI’s Annual Startup Competition
Soka students’ innovative thinking and commitment to social responsibility made them winners at UC Irvine’s annual startup competition. Read
Technician vaccinates man in SUA recreation center
Site Closes After Vaccinating Nearly 300,000 People
Soka’s commitment to serving the wider community was in evidence as the campus became a vaccination site for Orange County residents from January to June.
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