Earlier this week I had a chance to visit Los Angeles on behalf of the Japan ICU Foundation. My main objectives were to attend a special luncheon organized by the Southern California Chapter of the ICU Alumni Association and to meet with several key supporters of JICUF and ICU.

The luncheon, organized by Masako Kawashima, brought together a group of eight ICU exchange students studying abroad at LA-area universities with 15 ICU alumni, including three members of ICU’s first graduating class and one member of ICU’s second graduating class. Over delicious Chinese food, we enjoyed great conversation about our memories of ICU. I was given a chance to update the group on recent developments at ICU and JICUF, and answered questions about our work

Then, the following day I had a chance to visit Pilgrim Place, a retirement community in Claremont. I spent much of my visit with two former JICUF trustees, Hal Shorrock and Bill Lesher, who both live in Pilgrim Place. Dr. Shorrock served as a member of ICU’s faculty for many years and previously held the position of Dean of International Affairs. Dr. Lesher never taught at ICU, but is President Emeritus of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. I also had the chance to meet with David Loeliger, a former Chemistry professor at ICU, and with Kenneth Dale, a former faculty member at the Lutheran Seminary next door to ICU and an Honorary Trustee of ICU. It was also wonderful to see Bill Lesher’s wife, Jean, and Ken’s wife Eloise, along with several other former missionaries and academics who spent many years in Japan.

ICU is truly blessed to have so many supportive alumni in friends in Los Angeles!