Colorado State University Graduate Student Receives Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship For Outstanding Achievement
Monday, April 27, 1998
FORT COLLINS--Eric Yoichi Shibuya, a graduate student in
political science, is this year's recipient of the Martin Luther
King Jr. Scholarship. The award is given to a graduate student
for outstanding achievement in academics and the advancement of
minority education.
"Eric is not someone for whom diversity is a passing
interest, but it is a life commitment," said Dimitris Stevis,
associate professor of political science and advisor to Shibuya.
"He loves life and people and is committed to broadening social
and democratic rights."
"The award has a long history," said Rajinder Ranu,
professor of molecular biology in the department of
bioagriculture sciences and pest management and chair of the
Minority Faculty and Staff Caucus. "The award was established in
1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At the
time, the faculty and staff of Colorado State wanted to create an
award that would perpetuate Dr. King's ideas and honor him for
his contributions."
Over the years, the award, which was inspired by King's
philosophy of justice, peace and human dignity, had provided
small supplemental and emergency grants to more than 70 graduate
students. In 1996, an endowment fund was established and
scholarship recipients now are fully supported for one year of
graduate study, with a stipend of $9,000 and graduate school
tuition for an entire academic year.
"Our goal now is the same as it was then - to create a
society where diversity is celebrated and we all work for the
common good," said Loren Crabtree, interim provost and founding
member of the original award board of directors. "This cannot
happen when we systematically exclude certain people from
opportunities."
"The scholarship allows a lot of people to complete their
degrees when they otherwise wouldn't have," said Shibuya. "I'm
thrilled that it is a scholarship, and it comes at the right time
to help me finish my dissertation."
For his doctorate in political science, Shibuya is writing a
dissertation on the South Pacific islands and global climate
change. Shibuya has a master of arts in political science from
the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor of arts in political
science from the University of Hawaii. While working toward his
doctorate at Colorado State, he has taught classes in
international relations, comparative politics, world problems,
ethnicity and Asian/American aesthetics.
"Eric is a person who is committed to both academics and the
goals of a more open and diverse society," said Stevis. "He is
friendly, creative and open to learning and teaching by example
as well as in the classroom."
Shibuya's favorite class to teach is an introduction to
ethnicity. "I like what comes out of it," said Shibuya. "It's
where I make the largest contribution to minority studies."
He said that interaction with students is rewarding and
enjoyable. "If more of my students leave feeling there has been
some interaction, some growth, then I feel I've done something
right."
Wayne Peak, associate professor of political science,
described Shibuya's instructional style as cheerful, hardworking,
open and accessible. Peak pointed to the ways in which Shibuya
has contributed to diversity education at Colorado State.
"He came here with a background of working effectively with
diverse students at the University of Oklahoma," said Peak. "He
participated in Colorado State's Multicultural Diffusion Project
and subsequently incorporated multiculturalism into courses where
he served as a teaching assistant and then into courses in which
he was the instructor."
Shibuya has been involved with both the political science
department and the Center for Applied Studies in American
Ethnicity. "Because I work in two departments, I can get two
different perspectives and intellectual interaction," said
Shibuya.
In addition to teaching, Shibuya has presented a number of
conference papers and served on several university committees.
His other interests and hobbies include juggling and photography.
Shibuya credited several people as mentors, including
Stevis, CASAE Director Paul Wong, King and Mohammed Ali. He added
that Karen, his wife of four months, is his biggest hero.
This year's thirteen nominees excelled academically in their
specialties and contributed actively to the education of
individuals from diverse populations. In addition, the nominees
were positive role models for diverse students on campus.
Scholarship consideration was competitive and open to students of
all ethnic backgrounds.
"With the establishment of the Martin Luther King
Scholarship Endowment, Colorado State hopes to continue to
inspire future leaders who serve as role models and present a
unifying force in the United States," said Ranu.
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