NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars will host a Language and Culture Lecture on Japan in Russell Hall 107 and virtually via WebEx on from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 10. The PBD Language and Culture Series supports funding for Northwestern State University students participating in international studies and expands all participants’ knowledge of different countries, languages and cultures. Previous editions have introduced the cultures of China, India, Latin America, Spain and France. Organizers hope these short classes will expand attendees’ knowledge and understanding of world cultures and will encourage interest in international study and travel.
The lecture on November 10 will offer insights into Japanese culture and language. Guest lecturers are Dr. Masahito Kuroda and Ms. Kazue Seo. Dr. Michael T. Snowden, NSU’s vice president of Inclusion and Diversity, will be the special guest. The public is invited to attend the lecture.
Participants will receive the meeting invitation after registration online. The registration fee is $5 for NSU, LSMSA and BPCC@NSU students and $20 for all other participants. All proceeds will support scholarships for NSU students participating in international studies. To register, visit https://pbdjapan.eventbrite.com, or contact Becky Stephens, 201 Russell Hall, (318) 357-5162, stephensb@nsula.edu.
Kuroda is associate professor of euphonium, tuba and sound technology in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at NSU. He joined the NSU faculty in 2001. Originally from Japan, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Tokyo Gakugei University, Master of Music from Morehead State University, the post graduate study at Louisiana State University and the Artis Doctor Musica (DMA) in euphonium performance from National Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Slovak Republic. Receiving a full scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, he studied with many renowned low brass performers and teachers in the U.S, U.K., Netherlands and Germany. He has appeared as a guest euphonium performer/masterclass clinician in concert halls as well as universities and conservatories in the U.S., Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Far East Asia. Most notably, he held the county’s first euphonium recital/masterclass in Slovak Republic at Bratislava Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts.
Kazue Seo is a 2016 graduate of NSU School of Business where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems with honors as well as minor in business administration and trumpet performance studied under the tutorage of Galindo Rodriguez, NSU associate professor of trumpet. She was the recipient of the 2014 State Farm Insurance Company Scholarship. Originally from Japan, she is currently working as IT Manager at Outpatient Medical Center in Natchitoches.
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars is working to increase the recognition, credibility and importance of the international experience and create a catalyst for international academic-based programing on college campuses while providing support and recognition to those individuals on campuses involved in international education. The NSU chapter, Eta Mu, was established in 2010 and continues to sponsor campus-wide activities and scholarships on the NSU campus. The chapter was awarded the 2020 Eileen Evans outstanding Chapter Award last May at the annual conference.
For more information, please contact Dr. Weiwen Liao at liaow@nsula.edu or Dr. Marcia Hardy at hardym@nsula.edu.
