FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 9, 2007

Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260

Foreign Language and Literatures Professor
Chosen as Outstanding Teacher

The Faculty Recognition and Support Committee has chosen Kimihiko Nomura, professor of Japanese in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at California State University, Chico, as the Outstanding Teacher of 2006-2007.

Nomura, who received his EdD from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz., came to Chico in 1991. Most recently, he was instrumental in developing a new minor in Japanese in response to student demand. The new program enrolled students for the first time in fall 2006.

Nomura is known for infusing Japanese culture into his teaching. "Dr. Nomura does more than teach Japanese characters and different alphabets in his classroom," said colleague Char Prieto. "He educates students about Japanese traits, civilization, good manners and the intricate culture behind the language."

His passion for teaching was one of the characteristics mentioned most often by students and colleagues in his nomination letters. "The entire world is his classroom," said Sara Cooper, Nomura's colleague. "Incredibly, Kimi has his textbooks committed to memory, so whether in class or answering a cell phone call while walking across campus, he is able to answer a student's questions and point her exactly to the textbook page number where more clarification may be found."

Cooper also noted, "Professor Nomura is always searching for ways to enrich the lives and learning experience of his students, a fact recognized at all levels." After he arranged the visit of Makoto Yamanaka, Japan's Consul General to Chico, Dean Sarah Blackstone, Humanities and Fine Arts, thanked him "for having the courage and vision to organize an event that makes a University a rich and wonderful place for students."

"Dr. Nomura's dedication to his students is reflected both by the interest his students show in the program as well as the large workload that he has voluntarily undertaken to meet the demand for his courses," said Tami Marron, administrative support coordinator.

Nomura's excellence in teaching is demonstrated by the success of his students. More than 100 students who have taken Japanese at CSU, Chico have participated in the Japan Exchange teaching program for the Japanese Ministry of Education. Many of Normura's students have gone on to study at Waseda University, Sophia University, Kansai Gauidai University, Chukyo University, Hiroshima University and other prestigious schools in Japan and the United States.

Since 1994, Nomura has spent his summers teaching courses in English grammar and has become a mentor to students in Upward Bound. Director David Ferguson of Upward Bound praises Nomura's skills and adaptability, noting that "although the program is designed for a much different student than is typical to CSU, Chico, Nomura is comfortable with and accommodating to their needs."

His dedication and efforts for students extend to several student organizations for which he is the advisor, including Mu Alpha Xi, the Anime Club and Japanese Crew.

"Thanks to Nomura Sensei's classes, CSU, Chico is encompassing its mission to provide students with rich cultural and linguistic diversity," said Jamie Goekler, graduate student and teaching assistant to Nomura. "The University is embracing the teaching of an Asian language, and students are opening their eyes to other ways of expressing themselves and viewing the world."

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