The three winners of this year’s Kyoto Prize were at Point Loma Nazarene University on Wednesday, March 14 to kick off the annual Kyoto Prize Laureate Symposium. The Kyoto Prize was established by Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera International, to honor persons who have contributed to the scientific and spiritual progress of humanity.
This international award is presented to persons after a four year selection process. It is presented annually in three categories: Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. The awards, including a gold medal and prize of nearly $500,000 to each Laureate, are made each year in Japan, and then each Laureate is honored in North America through the three-day Symposium.
PLNU president Dr. Bob Brower served as host at a luncheon honoring Dr. Inamori and several Directors of the Foundation and the three Laureates: Dr. Leonard Arthur Herzenberg, who developed a technology that makes regenerative medicine possible; Dr. Hirotugu Akaike, who developed a statistical methodology for evaluating other statistical models and control of dynamic systems; and Issey Myiake, a world famous fashion designer.
The guests had an opportunity to socialize with members of both the PLNU and San Diego communities.
“Each of the Kyoto Prize winners is a cutting edge leader in his discipline, but they were also accompanied by others who are of equal stature,” said Maria Zack, professor in the Department of Mathematics, Information and Computer Science (MICS). “The informal time allowed for us to engage in deep conversations about shared academic pursuits and to establish some on-going relationships.”
“President Brower, Dr. Ron Kirkemo and others within the PLNU Administration deserve strong praise for all that they did to bring this event about,” added Dr. Michael McConnell, professor in the Department of Biology. “Hopefully the various San Diego and Kyoto dignitaries who were present on our campus enjoyed themselves enough that they will want to make the PLNU luncheon a traditional part of the annual Kyoto Prize celebration activities here in San Diego.”
Eric Yates
Media Relations Officer
(619) 849-7186
eyates@pointloma.edu