Project Lead: Prof. Mariko Shigeta Schimmel, Associate Professor of Japanese
Vivero Fellow (2026-2027): Ngoc Ta
For AY2026-2027, I would like to work with a Vivero Fello on building a website about the earliest Japanese students at Grinnell: 1889-1905: This project focuses on the early college history when seven Japanese students joined Grinnell. The varied socio-economic backgrounds of these students — from former samurai to wealthy commoners to self-supporting working students — show an interesting cross-section of Japanese students in the Midwest in the 19th century. The website will show the impact of Grinnell’s Social Gospel movement on the development of socialism in Japan beyond Katayama Sen. The Vivero Fellow will help with the design of the website, including the timeline of events.
