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The University of Tennessee at Martin recently planted a sakura cherry blossom tree on its campus to honor the over 30-year formal relationship with Hirosaki University in Japan. Pictured from left to right – Dr. Margaret Toston, vice chancellor for student affairs; Alex Wilson, president of UT Martin Student Government Association; Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin chancellor; Kyoko Hammond, lecturer of Japanese; Arisa Yokomizo, exchange student from Hirosaki University; Koichiro Kondo, exchange student from Hirosaki University; and Brandon Dinwiddie, president of the UT Martin Japanese Club, who will also study at Hirosaki University during the 2013 – 2014 school year.

MARTIN, Tenn. ­ The University of Tennessee at Martin recently planted a sakura cherry blossom tree on its campus to honor the over 30-year formal relationship with Hirosaki University in Japan.
A result of the Sakura Resolution, passed by UT Martin’s Student Government Association, the tree was dedicated during a ceremony held April 26.

“The UT Martin Student Government Association recently passed a resolution honoring Hirosaki University and thought it would be a good idea to have a lasting indicator on this campus representing the linkage between UT Martin and Hirosaki University,” said Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin Chancellor, during the ceremony.

Hirosaki University was originally established in 1949 and the formal relationship between it and UT Martin began in 1980. The 30th anniversary of the relationship was celebrated in 2010, and since the relationship began, 35 students and 21 faculty members have participated in exchanges with Hirosaki University.

“Ideally I would like this tree to represent, not only the partnership between UTM and Hirosaki University, but also UTM’s growing number of connections to the institutions of higher learning all over the world,” said Kyoko Hammond, lecturer of Japanese.

A plaque will eventually be placed near the tree to communicate the tree’s dedication.

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