The History of Japanese American College Students in Minnesota During WWII (1941-1946)
This project involved a literature review and primary research on the history of Japanese American college students in Minnesota during and immediately after WWII. Professor Ka Wong and three student assistants critically reviewed extant literature on the subject. They then produced an annotated bibliography of 25 books and three websites that will serve as useful references for teachers and students of high school age and above, as well as general readers interested in Minnesota history.
Based on all collected data from reviewed literature, on-site archival studies, digital research, and individual interviews, the team generated the most comprehensive list to date of Japanese Americans enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities during WWII (1941-1946): a total of 538 students in 25 higher educational institutions.
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$4,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000 the second year are for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer these funds using established grant mechanisms, with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii).
Available upon request. grants@mnhs.org
Professor Wong and his three student research assistants exceeded targets for this project. This came to pass because of their energy for the project and the outstanding help they received from librarians and archivists. As promised, they completed a research report, annotated bibliography, and a wartime Nisei student list. However, they drew results from 13 higher education institutions, rather than the four originally proposed. Their results contribute more information than anticipated to Minnesota?s Asian American history, and this benefits not only St. Olaf and other colleges, but Minnesota as a whole. This primary research is fundamental groundwork for the book project Professor Wong intends to write entitled Enmity and Empathy: Race, Internment, and Japanese Americans in Minnesota During World War II.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org