The Government of Japan honors LSU Professor Dr. Jack Strong
June 10, 2008
Dr. Jack Perry Strong, Boyd Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, was honored with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to academic and cultural exchanges between Japan and the United States of America. The conferment ceremony was held in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters at the New Orleans Botanical Garden on Tuesday, June 10 th.
The Orders of the Rising Sun, established in 1875 as Japan’s first award, recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to friendly relations between Japan and other countries. Dr. Strong has been recognized primarily for his longtime contributions to academic exchanges between American and Japanese doctors and researchers and also his dedication to cultural exchanges between sister-cities of New Orleans and Matsue, Japan. Dr. Strong received a congratulatory letter and a special gift from Hon. Masataka Matsuura, mayor Matsue on this occasion.
Dr. Strong first became interested in Japan through his exchanges with Japanese doctors. Later he became interested in Japanese culture and even started learning the Japanese language. As an internationally known pathologist, Dr. Strong has been facilitating exchanges between American and Japanese doctors and researchers. He trained and educated many young Japanese doctors who have now become leaders in the medical circles in Japan. In addition, as Past-President of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP), Dr. Strong strongly supported Japanese pathologists in their efforts to host an international conference of IAP.
Dr. Strong has also been leading efforts to build a Japanese garden within the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, City Park as President of the Japanese Garden Society of New Orleans. The Japanese garden was named after the Japanese name of a renowned author and journalist Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) who lived and wrote both in New Orleans and Matsue, Japan. The Yakumo Nihon Teien or Yakumo Japanese Garden offers the people of Katrina-weary New Orleans a place of peace and serenity.
Dr. Strong lives in Metairie, Louisiana with his wife Mihoko.
 |
 |