| Department of East Asian Studies | University of Arizona

China Showcase Event on the UA Mall

Feb. 8, 2019

A message from Albert Welter, Head of the East Asian Studies Department

"I’m happy to report the extraordinary success of the China Showcase event on the UA Mall yesterday (Friday). I hope you all had a chance to attend. It was really great––a wonderful opportunity to promote the ongoing success of EAS, particularly the China programs. The event covered everything from a “What did Confucius really say?” test, Chinese tea explanation and tea ceremony presentation, Chinese costume fashion show, Chinese language students singing demonstration (I was unaware of what hidden talent we have!), poster drawings from students of Chinese literary heroes, chopstick competition, a study-abroad photography contest, and so much more! Many thanks to all who joined in the fun, especially student volunteers who did so much to make it a success. It made me really proud to be a member of such a creative and vibrant community. Special thanks to Professors Camp, Diao, Du, and Gregory, who were instrumental in the planning to make the event such a success. And also to Theresa, who along with her minions did so much to create the poster boards and attend to all the details that go into an event such as this. What a lot of fun! A hearty thanks to all of you. It was so nice to see EAS and China take over the UA mall for a day. Maybe again next year?"

Buddhist Compassion

When

3:30 – 5 p.m., March 22, 2016

Where

Poetry Center, Helen S. Schaefer Building, 1508 E Helen St.

Author of Buddhist Fasting Practice The Nyungne Method of Thousand Armed Chenrezig, Wangchen Rinpoche was recognized as a Tulku at an early age by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, and is a lineage holder of the Kagyu Shanga-pa sect and teaches widely in Asia and Europe.

Informal conversation with Rinpoche and light refreshment following the talk

Buddhist Studies: Past, Present, Future

When

4 – 5 p.m., April 6, 2016

Where

Kiva Auditorium (Student Union Building)

Abstract:

Defining Buddhist Studies has become more difficult as disciplinary structures are being questioned for relevance and accountability. Where should Buddhism be studied in a time when the literature is filled with “obituaries” of established practices and institutions? How important is it for the field to become a clearly mapped knowledge “territory”? Is it possible to conceive of an approach between scholars that is collaborative and even interdependent? Can knowledge produced in the context of application within the digital realm be accepted? Is there information that will be suppressed in the ensuing debate? Will the future bring a broader system of quality control? Is this a moment of singularity where potentials are available to signal an era of creativity?

Join us in Welcoming Scholars from Kyushu University

When

4 – 8 p.m., March 21, 2016

Where

The University of Arizona Poetry Center

Join us in welcoming scholars from Kyushu University who are participating in our

Kyushu University and University of Arizona Symposium,

Topics in Language, Literature and Culture, which will be held at

The University of Arizona Poetry Center 4-7PM, March 21, 2016 (Reception 7-8PM)

Celebrate Homecoming 2015 with East Asian Studies!

When

11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Oct. 23, 2015

11:30 AM HOMECOMING BBQ BASH

Location: UA Mall, east of Old Main | Cost: $35

Enjoy food, music, and more while mingling with fellow Wildcats. Open to ALL UA friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Buy your tickets here.

1:30 PM COLLEGIATE SHOWCASE

The Future of China’s Past: Looking into the Meaning of China’s Rise

Location: Student Union Memorial Center, Kiva Room | FREE!

What does China’s cultural renaissance bode for the future? Head of East Asian Studies Albert Welter discusses current engagements with models of China’s past with an eye toward exploring the possibilities shaping China’s (and the world’s) future.

3:30 PM POETRY CENTER OPEN HOUSE

Location: UA Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St. | FREE!

Drop in for docent-led tours of the renowned Poetry Center and peruse the library’s prominent permanent collection and current Baja Arizona exhibition in the gallery.

6:00 PM EAST ASIAN STUDIES ALUMNI RECEPTION

Location: Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way | Cost: $15

Relax at Tucson’s beautiful Yume Japanese Gardens. This tranquil setting is the perfect place for alumni, faculty, students, and staff to mingle while enjoying the gardens. Sample fine Asian cuisine and spend time socializing with friends old and new. Tickets and more information available here.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

Brandy DeVelbiss Christian

Our distinguished alumna Brandy DeVelbiss Christian (EAS ‘95) has been successfully putting her East Asian Studies degree to good use in her current position as Chief Operating Officer of the Port of New Orleans, the fifth busiest port in North America. Brandy’s insights into Chinese language and culture launched her career at the Port of San Diego where she pursued international business opportunities. Her ability to speak Chinese has helped propel her career and strengthen her Asian business relationships. Her experience is a shining example of humanities at work in the real world. Welcome back to the UA, Brandy!

Kieran Lee

Intern

B.A.

East Asian Studies

2025

I plan to go to Hong Kong for an internship with a language school. The College of Humanities and my East Asian Studies degree has prepared me with the skills to live in a different country and a different culture, and specifically learning Chinese will help me a lot to explore my prospects in East Asia!

Shu-Chien Yang

Mandarin Chinese Instructor

M.A.

East Asian Studies

2022

I applied OPT and I plan to seek a teaching position in the US as a Chinese lecturer.

Department of East Asian Studies Awards Ceremony 2025

Celebrating our students' hard work and achievements!

May 14, 2025

Every year, the Department of East Asian Studies hosts an award ceremony to acknowledge its students for their exceptional performance and hard work during the academic year. On May 8^th, 2025, the following awards were given:

The Charles O. Hucker Founders Award for Excellence in Chinese Studies: The Charles O. Hucker Founders Award is named after Professor Charles O. Hucker, who came to the University of Arizona in 1956 and established the Oriental Studies Department, the predecessor of the University of Arizona’s current East Asian Studies Department and Near Eastern Studies departments. This award has been given annually since 1997 to honor a student for academic achievement in the field of Chinese.
The Barbara Blair Prize for Excellence in Japanese Studies: The Barbara Blair Prize, started in 2007, is named after Barbara Bowman Blair (1925-2005). The Blair Prize was established both to honor Barbara Blair, and the academic accomplishments of U of A students, but also in the hope that the recipients will, in their own individual ways, contribute in the future to cross-cultural understanding, particularly between the nations of Japan and the United States.
Outstanding Senior Capstone
Graduate Assistant, Teaching Special Recognition: This recognizes the outstanding contributions of the Department's Graduate Assistant, Teaching or GATs have made in graduate teaching.
The Center for East Asian Studies Graduating Senior Award: The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) has established this award to honor an outstanding graduating senior in East Asian Studies, especially those who have demonstrated achievement in the Korea Studies program.
The Center for East Asian Studies Student Excellence Award: The Center for East Asian Studies Student Excellence Award recognizes outstanding University of Arizona undergraduates for their academic achievement, engagement, and contributions to the Center’s mission of promoting East Asian languages and culture.
The Center for Buddhist Studies - Khyentse Foundation Student Award: The Khyentse Foundation Student Award was established in 2018 at the Center for Buddhist Studies to encourage the University of Arizona graduate and undergraduate students to study Buddhism and its related subjects. Since 2001, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and a team of volunteers have been committed to providing funding for individuals and organizations seeking to make the dharma available to the world.
The Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office Chinese Achievement Award: Sponsored by the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), this award recognizes the highest-achieving student in each level of the Chinese Language Program’s classes.

The following students were selected by the Department for their excellent academic performance during the academic year:

The Charles O. Hucker Founders Award Recipients:

Lauren Hsu
Kieran Lee
Honorable Mention: Amelia Matheson

The Barbara Blair Prize Recipients:

Hayley Green
Manny Gonzalez
Honorable Mention: Harrison Moffatt

Outstanding Senior Capstone Recipients:

Myles Fajardo, Bridging Blood and Belonging: A Case Study of Cultural Identity Formation in Transnational Adoption

Tai Ives, Empire’s Memory: How US Imperialism Shaped the Contemporary Memory of the Korean War

Jessica Guzman Valenzuela, Identity among Koreans in Cuba

Graduate Assistant, Teaching Special Recognition Recipients:

Yoon Ahn
Nena Choi
Eunsil Cho
Brianna Erler
Iris Li
Subin Oh
Yuyu Zhang

The Center for East Asian Studies Graduating Senior Award

Cymone Van Marter
Lindsay Wilmarth
Honorable Mention: Tai Ives

The Center for East Asian Studies Student Excellence Award Recipients*

Hayley Green
Jacob Frank Komper
Bridie Li
Harrison Moffatt

Khyentse Foundation Best Student Award Recipient

Jesenia Sánchez-Frost

The Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office Chinese Achievement Award Recipients

CHN 101 – Elementary Chinese I
Maren Hover
Marco Antonio Martinez
Chrys Walton

CHN 102 – Elementary Chinese II
Ethan Jeon
Jay Leslie
Avery Todd

CHN 201 – Intermediate Modern Chinese I
Maya Y Nichterlein

CHN 202 – Intermediate Modern Chinese II
Quinn Michael O’Grady

CHN 302 – Third Year Chinese II
Izabell Molina

CHN 417 – Advanced Modern Chinese
Amelia Matheson

*Students with membership in the Japanese National Honor Society, recognized by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese for excellence in Japanese language study.

Congratulations to our students for their hard work and dedication to their academic careers!

The Center for East Asian Studies Student Excellence Award Group photo

Career Information Session

Presented by the Japanese Language Program!

When

4 – 5 p.m., April 17, 2025

Where

Main Library Room 112

Curious about using Japanese in your future?

Join us for a special info session to connect with students who have experienced life in Japan! From study abroad programs to career paths, bring your questions about Japan and start planning your future today!

For more information, please contact Tetsuya Takeno at takeno@arizona.edu.

Jonathan Brunenkant

English Teacher

Marana High School

B.A.

East Asian Studies

2016

B.A.

Linguistics

2016

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