Japan America Society of Minnesota

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Connecting Japan and Minnesota over 50 years

The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member-supported, non-profit organization established to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japanese and US citizens. Through our programs and events, we endeavor to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. JASM also connects and supports Minnesota's seven Japanese sister cities, two Japanese-language Saturday schools, over 100 Japanese corporate subsidiaries, and a host of other organizations dedicated to Japan-related topics from Anime to Zen. JASM is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in supporting its mission. Founded in 1972, JASM is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.

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2024 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person)

When
2024-11-16

5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Location
Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala will be held in person on Saturday, November 16th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

Register today! (Please click here)

Both the Mondale Award and Mondale Scholarship will be presented at this event. The Mondale Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation, and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota. The Mondale Scholarship is presented to students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.

Join us in celebrating the Mondale Award recipients and supporting Mondale Scholarship at the 27th Mondale Gala!

Reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Banquet & Program: 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Dress Code: Business Attire or Kimono

Do you need Kimono dressing assistance? Please register here. The deadline is November 1.

Mondale Award Recipients: Ann McCarthy and Patty Thornton

Ann and Patty are the pioneers of K-12 Japanese language education in Minnesota, fostering international friendships and intercultural understanding. Ann initiated the first high school Japanese program at Washburn High School in 1986, followed by Patty's program at Susan B. Anthony Middle School in 1988. Together, they developed the first generation of middle and high school Japanese learners in the state. In 1987, they collaborated with Concordia Language Villages to launch a Japanese language immersion summer program, with Ann’s camping experience proving invaluable. They actively recruited students and support from the community and contributed to curriculum development.

Both educators began their journeys as high school exchange students in Japan, which inspired their majors in Japanese at the University of Minnesota. They have since created numerous K-12 programs, led student trips to Japan, and engaged in various cultural events. Ann won the Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award in 2004 and continues to support Japanese educators in Minnesota. Patty has served as a pre-service teacher educator and Summer Program Director at Concordia Language Villages, where she helped establish a teaching philosophy that is now integral to all its programs. Their dedication spans over 35 years and continues to impact students and the community.

Keynote Speaker: University of Minnesota Professor Tetsuya Yamada

Prof. Tetsuya Yamada was born postwar in Tokyo, where he began studying traditional Japanese Ceramic practice. He received his MFA from Alfred University in 1997. He is a Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Through his ceramic-centered multimedia work, Yamada examines nature to explore fundamental truths about human nature.

He has participated in artist residency programs, including Kohler Arts/Industry in 2002 and 2009, Fabric Workshop in Philadelphia in 2004, and European Ceramic Work Center in Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, in 2010. He is a recipient of the 2001 Tiffany Award, the 2005 McKnight Fellowship for Ceramic Artists, administered by The Northern Clay Center, and 2014 and 2019 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Visual Artists, administered by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the Grand Prize (the highest prize among 25 prizes selected from 1,875 artists from 71 countries) at the 2011 Gyeonggi International Ceramix Biennale in South Korea (2011), and 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship. Most recently, he was subject to his mid-career survey exhibition, Listening at the Walker Art Center.

Mondale Scholarship Recipients 2024-2025

It is with great pleasure that JASM presents the 2024 Mondale Scholarships to Sydney Chen (University of Minnesota), Molly Turley (St. Olaf College), Jonathan Cordano (Gustavus Adolphus College), and Sophia Heles (College of Saint Benedict).

Please click here to purchase tickets.

Early Bird (register by Oct. 18)

$130/ Non-member

$110/ JASM member

Regular (register Oct. 19 - Nov. 8)

$155/ Non-member

$130/ JASM member

Post Deadline (register after Nov. 9)

$175/ Non-member

$150/ JASM member

Sponsors

Matsu/Pine tree Sponsors

Take/Bamboo Sponsors

Miller Milling Company

Ume/Plum Sponsors

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2024 Annual Meeting (in-person)

When
2024-12-12

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Location
TBD

Spaces left
50

The 2024 Annual Meeting is scheduled on December 12th at 6:30 pm this year. The location is to be dermined.

At the meeting, we will be reflecting on the year as a whole and looking forward to next year. We’ll discuss additional ways we can further JASM’s mission and will hold elections for board members.

Mark your calendar!

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