TagSoka University of America

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.— “Why do you do what you do?” For two uninterrupted minutes, one person spoke while the other simply listened. The interactive exercise sparked meaningful connections and transformed theory into practice during the Soka University of America (SUA) event themed “The Art of Connection—Part 1: Wisdom,” held March 28 on the university campus.

Can religion become a force for peace? This question guided students in a Soka University of America Learning Cluster taught by university professor Testushi Ogata. The students traveled to Boston to visit 10 different places of worship and met with scholars, religious representatives and peers at other universities. By studying real cases and engaging in

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—Jazz titan and global humanitarian Herbie Hancock will receive the 2025 Soka Global Citizen Award, Soka University of America (SUA) announced in a statement. The honor celebrates Mr. Hancock’s six-decade journey as a musical innovator and cultural bridge-builder whose influence stretches far beyond the keyboard. “Herbie Hancock embodies what it means to be

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—What do you get when you combine the mission of Soka University of America with the spirit of the Olympics? Sokalympics—a daylong event held March 9, 2025, and organized by the university’s Student Leaders Assembly (SLA) to create opportunities for students to foster meaningful bonds within and across different classes and communities. The

TORONTO—The Soka University of America Model United Nations (MUN) club earned its first “Best Small Delegation” award at the North American Model United Nations Conference, held Feb. 20–22 in Toronto. The annual, university-level MUN conference hosted at the University of Toronto drew some 200 delegations from around the world, where students debated topics drawn from

The following excerpts are from Stephen S. Dunham’s keynote address to the 2024 Commencement Ceremony held at Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, Calif., on May 24, 2024. Dunham is the chair of the SUA Board of Trustees, involved in the establishment of SUA since 1992 and a trustee since the university’s opening

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—In the fall of 2020, just months into the pandemic, the Soka University of America Class of 2024 began college life in the rarest circumstances, meeting classmates and professors for the first time via Zoom. In his welcome message to the class, SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda said that nothing had ever prevented the

Soka University of America graduates the Class of 2023.

The following is Soka University of America Founder Daisaku Ikeda’s message to SUA’s Class of 2023, which was read at its commencement ceremony on May 26, 2023.  To be young is to sow the seeds for the future. The seeds sown by youth can overcome any and all hardship; they are able to flower and

The following keynote address was presented by Wanjira Mathai at Soka University of America’s 2023 commencement ceremony, held in Aliso Viejo, Calif., on May 26, 2023. Mathai is a renowned Kenyan environmentalist and activist, currently serving as the vice president and regional director for Africa and global partnerships at the World Resources Institute. She is

Asle Toje, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the council tasked with selecting the annual Nobel Peace Prize recipient, visited Soka University of America (SUA) in late January to tour the campus, speak with faculty and work closely with students. After several days, he sat down for an open dialogue with Alexander Harang, an

Soka Heritage Hall, which chronicles the history of Soka University of America (SUA) and the heritage and founders of Soka education, opened on campus this October. “Visitors to the hall will embark on a journey of SUA’s heritage and the vision of the founders of Soka education, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda,” SUA

Soka University of America (SUA) continues to rank highly among liberal arts institutions, achieving national rankings in Best Colleges, Campus Ethnic Diversity, Best Value Schools and Most International Students, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2023.” U.S. News & World Report ranks SUA: #29 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie) #1 Financial

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Societal Change

On May 3, 2022, Soka University of America (SUA) launched the Soka Institute for Global Solutions, a research institute with the mission of growing a network of people imbued with the virtues of global citizenship and helping solve global problems. The idea of establishing the institute came from SUA Founder Daisaku Ikeda in his 1987

Soka University of America Founder Daisaku Ikeda sent the following message to the university’s 18th commencement ceremony, held at SUA’s Performing Arts Center on May 27, 2022. To the Soka University of America Undergraduate Class of 2022 and to the Master’s Program of Educational Leadership and Societal Change Class of 2022: My heartfelt felicitations on

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—In a dignified ceremony at Soka University of America, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young received the second Soka Global Citizen Award on May 4. Ambassador Young traveled from Atlanta to accept the award during a ceremony attended by more than 100 students, faculty and staff in the Founder’s Meeting Room at the university’s

Soka University of America graduates the Class of 2022.

The City of Aliso Viejo recognizes Soka University of America (SUA) as a “Trusted Partner” supporting the city.   Mayor Ross Chun and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Hurt presented SUA President Edward M. Feasel and Archibald E. Asawa, vice president for finance and administration, with a certificate of recognition in February. President Feasel acknowledged the

On Nov. 18, 2021, Soka University of America (SUA) held a dedication ceremony for the Marie and Pierre Curie Hall on its campus in Aliso Viejo, California. President Ed Feasel began the ceremony by acknowledging the SUA alumni who opened the path for the new Life Sciences Concentration, which supports students interested in health fields.