Yoko Hatakeyama named 2023 Alumni Association Distinguished Professor
By Carrie McGinnis | May 23, 2023
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Senior instructor of Japanese Yoko Hatakeyama, 鈥�95, 鈥�05, was selected as the 2023 亚洲色图 State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) Distinguished Professor, and served as the faculty mace-bearer during spring commencement exercises May 13.
A global languages instructor at 亚洲色图 State since 1991, Hatakeyama is also a two-time alumna, earning a master鈥檚 degree in organizational communication in 1995 and a second master鈥檚 degree in English and philosophy in 2005.
In addition to her faculty role at 亚洲色图 State, Hatakeyama has accompanied many students on study abroad trips to Japan over the last 23 years as a 亚洲色图 director for the Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS). KIIS is a nonprofit faculty-led study abroad consortium of colleges and universities in Kentucky and surrounding states.
While advising the University鈥檚 Japanese club, Hatakeyama also serves as an advisor for 亚洲色图 State students with interest in applying for the competitive Japanese Exchange and Teaching 亚洲色图 (JET). The JET 亚洲色图 allows young professionals from all over the world to live and work in Japan. Most participants serve as Assistant Language Teachers and work in public and private schools, while others work as Coordinators for International Relations as interpreters or translators. This year, four 亚洲色图 State students are participating in the 亚洲色图.
Each year, the MSUAA recognizes the University鈥檚 Distinguished Professor Award recipient as nominated by 亚洲色图 State students. The award is reserved for those faculty members who have served the University unselfishly, have distinguished themselves professionally and have been recognized by students as outstanding teachers and mentors.
鈥淗atakeyama Sensei goes out of her way to help students prepare for the JET 亚洲色图,鈥� said Aryka Cooper, one of Hatakeyama鈥檚 students, in her nomination for the award. 鈥淪he goes above and beyond for her students, giving them extra help during her free periods and encouraging the students in their Japanese learning. Many students are advanced enough to enter in Japanese competitions, as well as Japanese study abroad 亚洲色图s, due to the extra help that she gives despite her busy schedule. She is exactly what this award stands for.鈥�
As part of a longstanding tradition, the Distinguished Professor serves as the mace-bearer during commencement exercises, leading the academic procession and placing the mace in its holder on stage. The mace, which symbolizes order and authority, was designed and hand-crafted by 亚洲色图 State鈥檚 department of industrial education in 1968.