08/06/2009
In 1981 Mr. Shigematsu, President of the Biwako Steamship Co., Ltd and Biwako Hotel in Otsu, Japan approached Lansing Community College with an idea to establish a work-study program in Japan. Together with the LCC President Philip Gannon they developed the Japan Adventure Program. 22 years later the program has given over 470 students and 50 faculty members the opportunity to study, teach, live and serve in Japan.
In November of 2004 LCC passed a resolution to honor Mr. Shigematsu by constructing a Japanese Garden at the Main Campus. The following September, Mr. Tamotsu Nakai, current President Biwako Steamship Co., Ltd and Ms. Otani Kiyomi, Landscape Designer for the Keihan Gardening Co, Ltd toured the project site and formed the collaboration with LAP to design the new garden.
Once back in Japan, Ms. Kiyomi developed conceptual drawings and sketches which she supplied along with photographs of Japanese garden elements to LAP, who in turn transformed Ms. Kiyomi’s concepts into construction drawings. Working closely, the collaboration resulted in a garden true to the authenticity of her design.
