This Week In American History: On May 26, 2009 Ronald Takaki passed away. Markedly, in the early 1980s Professor Takaki assisted with developing America’s first Ph.D. program in comparative ethnic studies at UC Berkeley, his alma mater. He authored nearly a dozen books, one of which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Early Life In Hawaii
Ronald Takaki was born on April 12, 1939 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was the descendent of sugar plantation laborers who came to Hawaii from Japan. Takaki grew up with his mother and Chinese stepfather following the passing of his father when Takaki was only five years old.
College of Wooster In Ohio
In high school, one of his teacher encouraged Takaki to apply to the College of Wooster in Ohio. Notably, Takaki majored in history at Wooster. He graduated with his degree in history in 1961. While at Wooster he also met Carol Rankin who later became his wife. Together they had three children.
Ph.D at Berkley and Professorship at Berkley
After graduating from Wooster, Takaki went to the University of California, Berkley. In 1967 he graduated from Berkley with a Ph.D in American history. Significantly, his dissertation was on the history of slavery in the United States. Additionally, that same year the University of California, Los Angeles hired Takaki to teach African American studies. However, Takaki left the University of California, Los Angeles for a position at Berkley when Los Angeles denied him early tenure. Meanwhile, Berkley gave Takaki an associate professorship in their Ethnic Studies Program. Takaki received a Distinguished Teaching Award in 1981 due to the popularity of his classes.
Development of Ph.D Program of Comparative Ethnic Studies
In the early 1980s, Takaki helped develop the country’s first Ph.D program in comparative ethnic studies. Around 130 graduate students have earned doctoral degrees in this program. Similarly to the man who started the program from which they graduated, they have gone on to become professors at universities all over America.
Nomination For Pulitzer Prize
In addition to teaching, Takaki published nearly a dozen books. His 1989 book Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. The New York Times selected it as a Notable Book of the Year. The San Francisco Chronicle picked it as on of the best 100 nonfiction books of the 20th century.
Honorary Doctorates
Eventually, Takaki received honorary doctorates from Wheelock College, the College of Wooster, and Macalester College, among others He lectured internationally in Austria, the Netherlands, Armenia, Russia, South Africa, Japan, and New Zealand.
Continued Advocacy
Takaki continued to advocate for diversity and multiculturalism even after he retired in 2002.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Info Source: Senate.UniversityofCalifornia.edu
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
