Professor Cites Medical Reasons For Abrupt Leave of Absence

Well-known UC Berkeley Asian-American studies professor Ronald Takaki announced last week he will take a leave of absence this semester for medical reasons.

Takaki completed his most recent lecture last Tuesday for his class, "The Making of Multicultural America," before making his announcement.

The professor had been starting and ending his 9:30 to 11 a.m. lectures earlier than usual to attend medical treatments the week before.

Takaki's announcement still arrived unexpectedly.

"A lot of people were really surprised," said UC Berkeley student Garett Ng, who is taking Takaki's class.

Students stayed after class "to ask for an autograph, or just to say a few words," he said.

Ethnic Studies Department Chair Michael Omi said Takaki may continue teaching but it "really depends on how he feels then."

Professors declined to comment about the nature of Takaki's illness.

Graduate student instructors lectured the following Thursday and will continue the class in Takaki's absence.

An influential Asian-American studies scholar, Takaki has written, edited or collaborated on more than 30 books.

His best-known work, "Strangers From a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans" was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

A native of Hawaii, Takaki earned a doctorate in American history from Berkeley in 1967.

His career moved to UCLA until he returned to UC Berkeley in 1972.

Back at UC Berkeley, he founded the ethnic studies Ph.D. program, the first of its kind in the country.

He also spearheaded the creation of the universitywide American Cultures requirement and later won UC Berkeley's Distinguished Teaching Award.

Takaki has also been involved in domestic policy, advising former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore on racial issues in the mid-1990s.

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