Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration
Celebrating Asian Heritage at Upper Iowa University
In the United States May is designated as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month. However, to accommodate for the academic year, Upper Iowa will begin celebrating the culture, traditions and long history of contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States beginning mid-April into May.
Celebrating AAPI Innovators
History Celebration
In 1978, Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May because of two important anniversaries. First, the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843; secondly, the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which upwards of 20,000 Chinese workers helped to construct. It was not until 1990 that the observance was expanded to a month. The month pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched the United States’ history and are instrumental in its future success.
Upper Iowa has a long history of recruiting students from Asia and the Pacific Islands. While the first international student to attend Upper Iowa University in 1872 was from Dublin, Ireland, the next three international students were all from Japan:
- Jay Kono attended UIU from 1890-1892. While he was here, he also lectured and wrote an article in the Collegian student newspaper about the development of Japanese Schools.
- Peter Goro Kaburagi from Chibaken, Japan graduated from UIU in 1895, then earned his Master’s degree here in 1899. While he was here, he taught the UIU students about Japan in entertaining ways, and after graduation traveled and continued to lecture until he settled down in Vancouver, Canada. He served as Superintendent of Japanese Missions in British Columbia; was owner and president of the Japanese Daily News; Principal of Vancouver Anglo-Japanese Ladies School; author of several articles on travel, social, and religious subjects; lecturer on Japan and Missionary work in Canada and Japan. He also traveled to Japan, China, Manchuria, and Korea.
- Kataoka, Saul from Takusima, Japan graduated from UIU in 1899. In 1895, Mr. Kaburagi and Kataoka provided in Oriental Tea sponsored by the Y. W. C. A. Rugs were spread around the dining room and tea served in true Oriental style. For entertainment, Mr. Kaburagi read people’s fortunes, and Mr. Kataoka provided music and a reading. Mr. Kataoka was active at UIU, including participating in several elocution recitals. After UIU, he graduated from Drew Theological Seminary, then returned to Japan to preach. He was reported to have been killed in the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) in which the Chinese rebelled against foreigners and Christians.
An early Japanese student at Upper Iowa in traditional clothing of the time.
Historical Feature: What a Japanese Alumnus Thinks of Upper Iowa: May 2, 1918.
Mr. C. C. Dickman,
My Dear Class Mate:
It is pleasant to get a letter from a class mate, it makes my heart beat faster from you all. Oh! It will be fine If I can get a letter from our class even once in ten years; for I never got one yet.
I suppose our class never had such a thing as “a class letter” In the past, had they? Well, it is so sweet to hear from you that our class mates are all doing so nicely In their works, especially for the college.
Now, I wish I could say also like the others, but as you probably know our race (Japanese) are always have been discriminated against In this country, and sometimes we were persecuted as well; so we had to work hard and take time for the success.
I appreciate very much the good influence I received at U. I. U., I ought to do all in my power for her.
Please find enclosed cheque one hundred dollars, which Is my very best even If it is very small amount; yet If you accept It for me as “a widow’s mite.”
It will please me much, as I donate the same with true devotion and grateful heart for the institution.
I am ever yours, GORO KABURAGI, M. A. 472 Cordova St., E.
