Senshu University 130th Anniversary Program

Message from the President
Dr. Yoshihiro Hidaka

Senshu University first opened its doors to students in the Meiji Kaido, an auditorium in Tokyo’s Kyobashi ward, in September 1880, and this year will be celebrating its 130th anniversary.

It was founded originally as Senshu College by four scholars who had just spent eight years studying in the United States following the Meiji Restoration in 1867-68, and their aim was to provide a professional education to produce talented graduates who would form the backbone of Japanese society. It was, in other words, designed to develop the “human infrastructure” of modern Japan from the level of the citizenry, and their passionate commitment to this goal lives on to this day in the founding spirit of Senshu University. Returning to this spirit, the University has adopted the “development of socio-intelligence” as its vision for the 21st century, which is central to the University’s activities in the realms of education, research, and contributing to society. Alongside this, we have adopted the “creation of a student-focused university” as the guiding principle of the University’s administration.

To mark the University’s 130th anniversary, we have put together all our resources to produce a wide-ranging program of commemorative projects that simultaneously look to the University’s future and reflect its history and tradition. The aim of this anniversary program is to consolidate the University’s foundations as a developer of socio-intelligence, and to highlight the “transmission of knowledge” in a manner that takes full advantage of the distinctiveness and features that private universities have to offer and that encourages greater interaction between universities and society. We hope that you will share in our commitment to this mission and show your support for our 130th anniversary program.

Principal projects

Ikuta Campus Building No. 10 – “130th Memorial Building” (Completed March 2007)
This new school building was built to further enhance the educational environment. It consists of seven stories, including one below ground, and has a total floor area of approximately 21,000 square meters, making it the University’s second largest building. It has a total of 33 classrooms and 32 seminar rooms of all sizes, including a large multipurpose hall with a capacity of 615, giving it a combined seating capacity of 5,445. It is also equipped with an “academy mall” suitable for presentations and a core information zone (furnished with 102 computers) to provide all the facilities needed to suit students’ diverse styles of learning, and it is seen as the Ikuta Campus’s new hub for the “transmission of knowledge.”

Satellite Campus (Opened January 2009)
To provide a center for the continued development of the University’s capacities for contributing to society and the development of diverse activities, a “satellite campus” has been established in part of a new building right next to Mukogaoka Yuen Station on the Odakyu Line. This will provide a superb location for a variety of activities, including general access to information, lifelong learning opportunities, and events showcasing the University’s accomplishments.

Senshu University Cup (Kanagawa Prefecture School Baseball Tournament)
Following its 21st century vision of developing socio-intelligence, the University is working to nurture contributors to society, act in partnership with communities, and promote sporting activities. As part of its 130th year anniversary program, therefore, it has hosted the Senshu University Cup in collaboration with the Kanawaga Prefecture Baseball League since 2006. This is a rubber ball baseball tournament for schoolchildren in Kanagawa Prefecture, and its purpose is to support the healthy development of children in the prefecture.

One Day Teammate
As part of its comprehensive program of community sports activities, the University has organized the “One Day Teammate” event since 2006. This is designed to enable the University’s athletics clubs to support the club activities of local junior and senior high schools, and to give these schools’ students a sense of the power, speed, and technique of university-level sport.

Memorial Pole and Statute of Themis
A memorial pole surmounted by a statue of Themis, Goddess of Justice, was erected in front of Kanda Campus Building No. 8 in February 2007, providing a clear visual reminder of the presence in this building of the Graduate School of Law.

High School Teacher Training Program
To enable society to benefit from the results of university research, the School of Literature has organized a training program since 2006 in close collaboration with public and private senior high school teachers to encourage mutual exchanges and learning.

Culture Lectures
Since 2005, the University has organized culture lectures across Japan in line with its vision of developing socio-intelligence and stimulating the provinces and the development of talented human resources.

Homecoming Days
To provide an opportunity for alumni to see Senshu University today, as it targets fresh development based on a foundation of tradition, and to further deepen their friendships with former teachers and classmates, Senshu University Homecoming Days have been held on the Ikuta Campus since 2006.

Commemorative Stamps
In 2006, a limited 1,000-sheet run of commemorative stamps was produced, and these are now being distributed. These feature a wide variety of designs, including the University’s logo and lion mascot “Sendy,” as well as historical photos of the University, the Ikuta Campus No. 10 Building while under construction, and valuable items from the university library’s collection. These stamps consist of a two-layer design so that the picture part can be reused as a sticker after use as a stamp.

In addition to the above, the following events are scheduled:
Exhibition on the founders’ times (2009)
Unveiling of bronze statue of founders (2009)