Clark College News and Events

Graphic–Clark College News and Events

Clark College News and Events


April 3, 2008
For Immediate Release
For additional information: 
Barbara Kerr, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Telephone: 360-992-2921
E-mail:  bkerr@clark.edu

CLARK COLLEGE INVITES THE COMMUNITY
TO CELEBRATE SPRING
UNDER THE CHERRY TREES

2008 Sakura Festival postcard

On Thursday, April 17, Clark College will host the third annual Sakura Festival, celebrating an international friendship 

Cherry trees and Clark College signVANCOUVER, Wash. — Since they were planted in 1990, the cherry trees at Clark College have brought beauty and the symbolism of international friendship to the college and the community.   On Thursday, April 17, to celebrate the breathtaking cherry blossoms that bloom each spring, Clark College will host its third annual “Sakura Festival.”  The Sakura Festival is sponsored by Clark College’s International and Continuing Education programs, in partnership with the downtown Vancouver Rotary Club.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. 

From 11 a.m. to noon, students from Clark College and regional high schools, who will have just returned from Joyo, Japan, will lead a discussion and slide show presentation about their travels.  That presentation will take place in the Penguin Student Lounge, located in the Penguin Union Building.

Cherry trees At noon, the festivities will move to the historic cherry trees near the newly-remodeled O’Connell Sports Center.  Officials representing the college, the downtown Vancouver Rotary Club and the City of Vancouver are expected to take part in a brief program.  Scheduled guests include Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard; former Vancouver Mayor Bruce Hagensen; Akio Egawa, Consul General of the Portland Japanese Consulate; and Tatsuo Ito, Executive Vice President, SEH America Inc.

When the program concludes, guests will be treated to cherry dessert, music, arts and crafts, games and haiku writing under the historic cherry trees.   (In case of inclement weather, those activities will take place in the O’Connell Sports Center.)

From 2-5 p.m., the Clark College Mature Learning program will present Akira Kurasowa’s “The Seven Samurai” as part of its “Classic Movie Series.”  The film will be presented in Foster Hall Auditorium.

On Earth Day 1990, a gift of 100 Shirofugen cherry trees from John Kageyama, President of America Kotobuki, was presented to the City of Vancouver to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Washington’s statehood.  The trees were planted on Clark College’s main campus in Vancouver’s Central Park.

Cherry trees near the Chime Tower

Clark College President Robert K. Knight said, “Those beautiful cherry trees enhance our college and our community.    We’re proud to host this event in partnership with our friends at the Vancouver Rotary as we celebrate spring and pay tribute to our sister-city relationship with Joyo, Japan.” 

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