Belmont University will receive the 2010 Iris Award from the Japan-America Society of Tennessee. The award recognizes unique contributions of a company, organization or individual to the enhancement of Japan-Tennessee relations.
Belmont’s notable contributions include hosting the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia, a seminar for Tennessee public school teachers directed by Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, director of Asian Studies; adding a Japanese language minor and 10 new courses in various departments focusing completely or substantially on Japan; and receiving a Nippon Foundation Book Award to improve library holdings in contemporary Japan studies and making them available to the entire community.
The award will be presented on Oct. 17 as part of the 34th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Associations (SEUS/Japan) in Nashville. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Jack O. Bovender, Jr., retired chairman of HCA, will host the meeting at the Renaissance Hotel. The theme this year is “In Harmony With Tradition and Innovation,” and more than 500 corporate decision-makers and executives will participate in the business discussions, networking sessions and hospitality that have become a trademark of this annual event.
