Berkeley Professor Honored For East Asian Research

SAN FRANCISCO — The founder of UC Berkeley's Institute for East Asian Studies and one of the nation's foremost experts on Asia was honored last night in San Francisco.

Professor emeritus Robert Scalapino, who first began teaching at the university in 1949, was recognized for his research on East Asia at a dinner organized by former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, said university spokesperson Jose Rodriguez.

The dinner, which marked Scalapino's 80th birthday, was chaired by Sadako Ogata, Scalapino's former student and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Scalapino, who began the Institute for East Asian Studies in 1978, said Asia would play an important role in defining the politics of the new millennium.

"As we enter the 21st century, the Asian Pacific region is crucial in determining whether we are to have tranquility or violence," he said.

During his career, Scalapino wrote more than 500 articles and 38 books and monographs. He has also worked with former U.S. presidents on foreign policy issues and accompanied President Nixon on the first U.S. mission to Communist China, Rodriguez said.

The event's chair honored Scalapino as a purist in his research.

"In short, what makes Bob special is his credibility as an independent scholar," Ogata said.

In recognition of Scalapino's birthday, the university is planning to name a portion of its new East Asian Library and Studies Center in his honor. The facility brings together the Institute of East Asian Studies, the Department of East Asian studies, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the East Asian Library, according to university officials.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl announced the naming of the Institute and also praised Scalapino's pacifist attitudes toward Asia.

"He built a career with the idea that cooperation and understanding can go a long way in avoiding war," Berdahl said.

Scalapino received his doctorate from Harvard University and served as chair of the university's Political Science department during the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s. He also served as a visiting lecturer at China's Peking University in 1981, 1985 and 1999.

"He was a military intelligence officer (during World War II) and his experience in doing that made him aware of the significance of Asia," Rodriguez said. "He came to Berkeley at a time when Asian studies was almost nonexistent across the country. A lot of people didn't know how complex the cultures were in Asia."

One UC Berkeley professor who attended the ceremony said Scalapino's innovative work inspired attendees to travel from all corners of the world to honor him.

"Professors often have birthday parties or special dinners, but there are very special events where people come in from all over the world just for (the event)," said David Johnson, a history professor. "He's one of the few people in this country who had done diplomatic work with North Korea."

Johnson added that Scalapino's interest in East Asian studies touched the lives of his students as well.

"He had many students from East Asia, and these people still keep in touch with him and admire him," he said.

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