NEWS

ICU Founder's Day Commemorative Service

Update: June 21, 2018

A service to commemorate ICU's founding was held at the University Chapel on Wednesday, June 13.

The service is held every year in remembrance of the day when the university was officially established at a meeting of the organizing council of Japanese and North American Christian leaders gathered at YMCA Tozan-so in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 15, 1949. On the same day, the Board of Councilors and the Board of Trustees were inaugurated, and the founding principles as well as a fundamental education plan were laid down.

At the service presided over by Rev. Shoko Kitanaka, Hym322 "As the Hart Longs for the Brook" was sung by all attendants and the Book of Psalms 42:1 was read.

In a message titled "In Search of Water," University President Junko Hibiya noted that it takes more than 20 years for rain and snow that fall on great nature to be transformed into "sweet water" and said: "The liberal arts education that aims at holistic development and character building bears fruit only in a fertile environment and over a long time. On this ICU campus built by many dedicated people of good will are rare nature, cultural assets, the University Hall, the Science Hall, the Library, physical education facilities, a museum, a theater, student dormitories, faculty residences and, of course, this chapel. Students and faculty with divergent backgrounds are learning and working together at ICU. The Japanese-English bilingualism, which has remained unchanged since the founding of the university, is what proudly distinguishes ICU from other educational institutions. In the 65-year history of this university, we have sent out to the world students with high motivation to make contributions to society. All these people are "sweet water" born at ICU. We cannot live without water in our lives. It is a responsibility that is thrust upon us to protect the natural and educational environment of this campus for the present and future generations of students and to continue to nurture and produce "sweet water" at ICU - human resources who are dedicated to serving both God and people."