Kiyo Okami

 

Kiyonao Okami of Tokyo, Japan studied sociology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1940. As a student he was a member of the Sherwood Society and was known for his skiing skills. After graduation, he and his wife Louise, also a Kalamazoo College student, lived in New York. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he was arrested as were many Japanese Americans. College President Paul Lamont Thompson assisted in obtaining his release. A 1951 alumni update listed him as a Foreign Affairs Officer with the Department of State. He also taught at Georgetown University. He would go on to work in consulates In Ireland and Italy.

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Recent Submissions

  • Kiyo Okami '40 Skiing 

    Morgan, Ward C. (Kalamazoo College, 1940)
    Kiyo Okami is seen skiing down a hill in this photo. A news brief in the February 24, 1939 issue of The Index described Okami as a "Japanese transfer student from Stanford... has been in this country for 11 months... born ...

  • Students in Trowbridge Lounge 

    Morgan, Ward C. (Kalamazoo College, 1939-11-04)
    A group of unidentified students in Trowbridge, possibly during a college dance. The male student standing at center is probably Kiyo Okami, Class of 1940. Sometimes formal dances were held in the lounge of the women's ...

  • Kalamazoo College Mock Democratic Convention, 1940 

    Unknown (Kalamazoo College, 1940-03-16)
    A student delegate at Kalamazoo College's third Mock Democratic Convention, March 16, 1940. The student is not identified, but is possibly Kiyo Okami '40. His white ribbon signifies that he served as a state delegate ...

  • LuxEsto (2000, Summer) 

    Kalamazoo College (2000-06-01)
    Features: Rain by Camera Light / by Chris Wrobel -- The Value of Study Down Under (Kalamazoo College students journey to The Antipodes, and their lives are changed forever. Three individuals explain how) -- Kresge Extends ...