Tokyo International University of America

1965 Establishment of TIU, then called "International College of Commerce and Economics".
TIU (ICC) begins its sister school relationship with Willamette University
(President of ICC is Taizo Kaneko; President of WU is G. Herbert Smith). First TIU (ICC) "Willamette Summer Term Seminar" at Willamette University.

1967 Establishment of scholarship for international students at Willamette University.
Approximately 120 TIU students have studied as degree-seeking transfer students at Willamette University, including 70 students who first came to TIUA. Most have completed both WU and TIU degrees.

1968 First Willamette professor teaches at TIU as an "exchange professor" (Ted Shay, Politics)
Currently, faculty members who visit TIU go for 3-6 weeks stays in the May-July period, sometimes teaching a course and/or conducting research. TIU professors visit Willamette as exchange professors in fall semester as guest lecturers in WU classes.

1969 TIU President Taizo Kaneko receives honorary doctorate from Willamette.
Exchange agreement between TIU and WU is officially signed.

1973 “Willamette University Extension Program" at TIU is established; this evolved into the present-day Japan Studies Program (JSP) and is also open to non-WU students.

1977 “Willamette Spring Seminar" for TIU students is established and held at WU until
1992 when the program is moved to the University of Arizona.

1979 Vice President Yasuo Kaneko is given an honorary doctorate by Willamette University. He later becomes President and is now Chancellor.

1989 First group of students arrives to participate in the one-year English Language
& American Studies Program at Willamette / TIUA. The first group had 61 students.

1989 - 2006 The year 2006 marks the 18th program year for the one-year English Language
and American Studies Program. Since 1989, almost 1800 students have studied in the one-year program.

2001 Willamette University, TIU, and TIUA agree to an ongoing system of joint meetings, twice each year, in order to improve collaboration and the joint development of programs. This has strengthened and broadened student and faculty exchange.

2005 Eleven WU faculty members begin participation in a new “Open Lecture” program at TIU.

2005 Willamette University donates two sequoia trees to TIU in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of TIU and of the sister school relationship. One tree is planted on each of the two TIU campuses in Kawagoe.

2005 (November 6th and 7th) The 40th Anniversary Celebration in Kawagoe and Tokyo and the signing of updated agreements regarding TIU-WU student, faculty, and staff exchange. WU President M. Lee Pelton receives an honorary degree from TIU.