NC Japan Center Introduces “Order of the Dogwood”

New Academic Award to Honor Japanese Studies

In a bid to recognize and celebrate university students dedicated to the study of Japanese language and culture, the NC Japan Center has unveiled a prestigious academic award known as “The Order of the Dogwood.” This initiative aims to elevate the visibility of students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Japanese studies while fostering a vibrant community of scholars across North Carolina.

The eligibility criteria for the newly established award are rigorous yet inclusive. To qualify, students must:

• be in their final semester of undergraduate studies
• maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher
• pursue a major, minor, or certificate in Japanese alongside another academic discipline
• have undertaken a significant learning experience in Japan during their undergraduate career.

The award program was piloted at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), with a total of 14 deserving students receiving medals. Among them were Camden Wilder, Sarah Massey, Nicholas Case, and Nikhil Patel from NCSU, and Gabrielle Bryant, Ariel Von Alberto, Gladiz De la Rosa, Christopher McDuffie, Zainab Sayed, Amali Worrell, Luca Kawamura Sandrini, Faith Bailey, Andrew Brooks, and Brennan Knight from UNC-Charlotte.

Notably, five of these exceptional students — Case, De la Rosa, Massey, Worrell, and Wilder — were honored in a special ceremony held at the NC Japan Center on April 12, 2024. The ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Cooper, and Ambassador Yamada, among other dignitaries, was an historic inaugural presentation of awards that is sure to be a lasting memory for these students.

Starting in the Fall semester of 2024, the award program is set to expand all 11 universities across North Carolina that have learners of Japanese studies. This move reflects the NC Japan Center’s commitment to nurturing a robust pipeline of graduates equipped with expertise in Japanese language and culture.

Beyond recognition, the Order of the Dogwood award serves the broader goal of helping produce students passionate about and proficient in Japanese studies for the state’s more than 220 Japanese-owned firms. With Japan being the largest direct foreign investor in North Carolina, fostering this talent pipeline holds immense potential for both students and Japanese firms to add to our state’s economy.

Moreover, the program seeks to establish a supportive network of Order of the Dogwood inductees who can serve as mentors and advocates for future undergraduates pursuing Japanese studies. Through mentorship, coaching, and networking opportunities, these alumni will play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Japanese scholars here in NC. In essence, the introduction of “The Order of the Dogwood” represents a significant milestone in promoting Japanese studies in North Carolina. By honoring and elevating the status of these students, fostering connections with industry partners, and building a supportive community of alumni, the NC Japan Center continues in its mission to support growth and excellence in Japanese education across the state.