NEWS

Relatives of Dr. Troyer, ICU's First Vice President, Visit Campus — — Conferred Decoration and Certificate Donated to ICU

Update: June 29, 2026

On June 9, 2026, relatives of Dr. Maurice E. Troyer, who served as the first Vice President for Academic Affairs during ICU's founding years and contributed immensely to establishing the university's educational foundation, visited the campus. The visiting family members were Ms. Kate Baldor, granddaughter of Dr. Troyer, and Ms. Jessamyn Rising, Dr. Troyer's great-granddaughter.
On the occasion of this visit, Ms. Baldor formally donated to the university the decoration (medal) and certificate conferred upon Dr. Troyer by Emperor Showa in recognition of his significant contributions to the development of Japanese higher education and ICU.

Guided by Managing Trustee Tetsuro Tomioka, the two guests toured the campus, connecting with the lingering spirit of the academic halls where Dr. Troyer once worked and reflecting deeply on ICU's history. After a commemorative photo session at the Troyer Memorial Arts and Sciences Hall, which bears the late Doctor's name, a warm welcoming meeting was held with President Shoichiro Iwakiri, Vice President for International Academic Exchange Mark Williams, Managing Trustee Tomioka, and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Natsumi Ikoma. During the meeting, they enjoyed a meaningful, cross-generational conversation about Dr. Troyer's enduring legacy at ICU and shared memories of those early days. The university also presented the guests with various mementos, including materials from Dr. Troyer's lectures, memoirs, photographs, and audio recordings.

Furthermore, the guests attended the Founders' Day Chapel Hour held at the University Chapel, joining faculty, staff, and students in a solemn celebration of ICU's founding.

To conclude their visit, Ms. Baldor and Ms. Rising toured the ICU Archives and the Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum to view precious historical documents. The newly donated decoration and certificate will be carefully preserved in the ICU Archives as invaluable assets that tell the story of ICU's journey through history.