Over 150 attendees came out on October 21st to participate in the 2022 Alumni Reunion celebrating Temple University, Japan Campus’ 40 years of elevating excellence and presenting TUJ’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards aboard the cruise ship “Moderna” in an unforgettable event on Tokyo Bay.
This year we raised the bar on the alumni reunion experience several ways: as an integral part of our yearlong TUJ 40th Anniversary celebrations, by awarding the first Temple University Japan’s Distinguished Alumni Awards and by venturing out on the sea to celebrate in style aboard the queen of Tokyo Bay, Symphony’s “Moderna”.
Registration began at 6PM on October 21st, as we set up a table to welcome guests to the party the buzz was palatable. From the opening of registration, we had a stream of familiar and friendly faces line up to receive their boarding passes for the 7PM departure. This year Hooter, the now familiar TUJ mascot, joined the crowd and entertained young and old while the ship was being prepared for our journey.
The evening kicked off with Dean Matthew J. Wilson delivering a welcome to all guests with an eye on the significance of TUJ’s presence in Japan for the last 40 years. Reminding us where we began and the fantastic achievements which have been made to bring us to that evening. Celebrating what TUJ has done, where we are now and where we plan to in the next 40 years.
We then began the festivities with a toast presented by Alice Mayumi Kitaoka and Tiago Sesoko, both active in the local Temple University Alumni Association.
Dean Wilson took to the stage again to begin the presentation of the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards in recognition of accomplishments, leadership and commitment in advancing the mission of Temple University, Japan Campus.
This year four individuals received the awards: Dr. Tomoko Kaneko, Kentaro Toda, Toshiaki Yokozawa, Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovikj.
Dr. Tomoko Kaneko received her doctoral degree in education (Ed.D.) in 1992 from Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), and became a professor at Showa Women’s (SWU). Dr. Kaneko was appointed as a member of SWU’s Board of Trustees in 1996, as well as the head of the Department of English and American Literature. She became dean of the Literature Department before becoming a vice president in 2005, Dr. Kaneko served as president of SWU from 2016 until 2020.
Dr. Kaneko is currently a professor at Showa Women’s University Graduate School and is a member of SWU’s Board of Trustees.
Toshiaki Yokozawa studied at both Temple University, Japan Campus and Temple University’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, graduating in 1992 with a BA in Art History from the Tyler School of Art. Mr. Yokozawa has been president and CEO of Asahi-Ecocarry Inc., an environmental services firm, since 1999.
Following his graduation from Temple, Mr. Yokozawa has been involved with supporting TUJ for many years including chairing TUJ’s Diamond Dinner Committee and as a Board of Overseers member, actively serving from 2012 to the present day.
Kentaro Toda received his Master of Laws degree in 2008 from TUJ’s Beasley Law School and is a member of the New York State Bar as well as the Daini Tokyo Bar Association, licensed to practice law in both the U.S. and Japan.
He is currently Partner at TMI Associates, Director of TMI Privacy and Security Consulting and a lecturer at Chuo University Law School. Mr. Toda was selected as a Next Generation Partner in 2020 and 2021 in the Antitrust and competition category of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and as a Co-Head of TMI Associates International Trade Team with is ranked Band 2 in Chambers Asia-Pacific.
Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovikj, graduated from TUJ’s Fox School of Business Executive MBA program in 2020. Additionally, to her EMBA, she holds a master’s (NAFTA, Sofia) and a doctorial (Nihon University) in film studies. Dr. Cvetkovikj was the first resident Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in Japan from 2014 to 2018. At present, she serves as CEO of BrioNexus KK and as a board ember of Del Sole Corporation, the OIST Foundation, and the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Dr. Cvetkovikj is a recipient of Doctor Honoris Causa by the European University and the Inspiring Women Worldwide Award for 2022 by WIN.
Thank you to everyone again for making this year’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards and the 40th Anniversary Cruise a success. We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
