Soka University of America is a private, nonprofit, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school located on 103 acres in the city of Aliso Viejo, in south Orange County, California. Three miles from the coast as the crow flies (nine miles driving), SUA is in the heart of Southern California’s abundance of cultural, educational, sporting, and adventure opportunities.
Soka University Los Angeles (SULA) opens. The Founder attends the opening ceremony and emphasizes three mottoes in his speech: 1. Be a treasure house of capable people who will shoulder the establishment of world peace. 2. Be a dynamic force in developing a pan-Pacific culture. 3. Be a center of intellect linking East and West. He also announces, "Although the university will begin as a language institute, we are resolved to steadfastly advance step by step toward the completion of the university's facilities, based on an extensive and long-range perspective so that we can raise international leaders for the 21st century"
Established by Soka University of America (SUA) founder Daisaku Ikeda, the Pacific Basin Research Center (PBRC) began operations in January 1991 as an advance research unit of SUA. Harvard Professor Emeritus, John D. Montgomery was formally inaugurated as the first director of PBRC on January 2, 1991. In the initial years, the PBRC operated out of the director's Harvard office at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
The opening ceremony of the Pacific Basin Research Center (PBRC) is held. The Founder sends a congratulatory message. The first director of PBRC, Dr. John D. Montgomery, a Harvard professor emeritus, gives a commemorative lecture.
The community language program, directed by Dr. Tomoko Takahashi, opens and offers its first class, Introduction to Japanese, to local students. Later in the year, the program adds language courses in Spanish, French, Chinese and Russian. Approximately 100 students are enrolled, bringing the University's total student enrollment to about 200.
The University begins a public lecture series on the subject of human rights - entitled "Human Rights Lecture Series". Doug Heir, an advocate for disability rights , is the first speaker.
Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks, leads a panel discussion, "Civil Rights for American Ethnic Minorities: A Historic and Future Perspective" as a special feature of the Human Rights Lecture Series 1992 - 1993.
Enter story info hereThe university receives degree-granting approval from the BPPVE for the state of California, and its name was changed to Soka University of America (SUA) to be distinguished as a freestanding independent institution separate from Soka University in Japan.
The Graduate School opens and enrolls its first graduate students, the class of 1995, in an MA program in Second and Foreign Language Education with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Dr. Tomoko Takahashi becomes its founding Dean of the Graduate School.
First announcement by Soka University of America and Mission Viejo Company that an application has been filed with the County of Orange County to establish a small liberal arts college and graduate school in the community of Aliso Viejo.
Escrow closes on the 103-acre site in Aliso Viejo purchased from the Mission Viejo Company
The SUA Graduate school holds its first commencement
Soka University of America (SUA), Aliso Viejo Planning Council's first meeting is held with the university founder, Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, at the Calabasas campus.
The university founder, Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, confirms the completed Master Plan model of SUA, Aliso Viejo.
The school colors and mascot are adopted. SUA's official mascot is the lion, a symbol of courage and strength. The Chinese characters for Lion can individually be read as "sound alike" words mentor and student - an appropriate symbol for a university that prides itself on nurturing each student's potential.
Construction work on the Aliso Viejo campus' site infrastructure begins.
The Cornerstore Laying Ceremony for Daisaku and Kaneko Ikeda Library is held with 700 guests in attendance.
SUA dedicates the university's one-mile Millennium Trail, which circles the campus. At this time, it is the only trail in Orange County to be recognized by the White House Millennium Council as an official community millennium trail.
A New Year's Eve Gala is held at Ikeda Library to raise funds for the scholarship endowment. It is the first event in a building on the Aliso Viejo campus.
Special guest Dr. Linus Pauling Jr. attends the Linus and Ava Helen Pauling Hall Opening Ceremony.
The Dedication Weekend marks the official opening of the Aliso Viejo campus. Three thousand guests attend the Dedication Ceremony on May 3, colloquially known as SUA's birthday. A time capsule is sealed, to be opened on the 100th anniversary in 2101. A 2,556 square foot exhibit honoring Dr. Linus Pauling is open from May 5 - June 10, 2001 entitled "Linus Pauling and the Twentieth Century Exhibition.
The Graduate School alumni group is named "Soseikai" by the Founder.
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Arun Gandhi presents a lecture at the Mohandas and Kasturba Gandhi Hall Dedication Ceremony. An exhibit opens at Founders Hall Art Gallery entitled "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace."
SUA holds its first Entrance Ceremony to welcome the inaugural class of 2005: 120 students hail from 18 countries and 18 states.
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Hours after the September 11 terrorist attacks, SUA students organize a candlelight vigil at Peace Lake. About 300 people gather; some express their emotions through vocal and instrumental performances, some read poetry, and everyone conveys their sympathy. The students send a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush, urging him to proceed with a spirit of nonviolent action in response to this unfortunate event.
The first election of the Soka Student Government Association (SSGA) is held. The SSGA Constitution is completed on November 9, 2001.
The first student newspaper is published and tentatively named "El Coyote". The newspaper later is named "The Pearl." Past issues are available for study in the SUA Archives.
The first University Bridge Program (UBP) commences on the Calabasas campus. The UBP is a program that is designed to help ESL students prepare culturally and academically to study at SUA, Aliso Viejo.
The first International Festival is held to celebrate SUA's one-year anniversary.
The first student festival is held, with the theme "Defining SUA." Read more about the SUA tradition of student festivals.
The campus newsletter SUA Today is launched.
SUA students name their Residence Halls: Hall 300 is "Sunrise Hall" and Hall 280 is "Sunset Hall."
SUA student club Rhythmission hosts the first Haunted House for the south Orange County community. This tradition continues until 2014. Read a press release from 2004.
SUA offers summer camps which include water polo, wrestling, swim clinics, and all-sports camps. The southbound off-ramp of the 73 at Pacific Park/Glenwood opens, providing a new, direct route for community members directly to SUA.
SUA students name two more Residence Halls. Hall 305 is "Abeona Hall." Abeona is a Roman guardian and protector of children leaving home. Hall 385 is "Somnus Hall." Somnus is a Roman god of sleep and dreams.
2003 (Fall)Thirty-five 3rd-year students leave for the first study abroad programs to Japan, Latin America, and Spain.
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(2004 Spring) Learning cluster research seminars in Spring 2004 included topics such as "The Science & Art of Happiness," "Cuban Politics and Culture," and "Solar Power Production."
The Pacific Basin Research Center (PBRC) moves to the Aliso Viejo campus and Dennis A. Rondinelli becomes its second director.
In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Graduate School's opening, the SUA Graduate School Alumni Association (known as Soseikai) holds its first official reunion with 34 alumni in attendance.
2004-2005 is the inaugural season for swim, track, and cross country sports teams
Men's and Women's swimming fields first team and competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference
The SUA women's cross country team is the first to wear the school colors and compete as a team at the intercollegiate level. Their first meet is held September 11th at the UC Irvine Invitational in Huntington Beach.
The Make-A-Wish® Foundation grants Masako Ogushi, who was battling a terminal illness, a trip to SUA since her dream was to attend and study at Soka. During her trip, SUA presents its first ever Honorary Degree to Ms. Ogushi.
The Soka Education Student Research Project (SESRP) organizes and hosts the first Soka Education Conference on the SUA campus. The Ikeda Library holds a full run of past conference proceedings and select video recordings.
SUA holds its first commencement ceremony. Luis and Linda Nieves are made Honorary Ambassadors in recognition of their continuing devotion to promote humanistic values and educational opportunities.
SUA receives initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission.
The Soka Student Government Association (SSGA) becomes the Soka Student Union (SSU).
The Residence Hall Association names Hall 315 "Horizon Hall" and Hall 370 "Umoja Hall." Horizon is chosen because it refers to the meeting of the earth and sky as seen by an observer. It also signifies the range of one's knowledge, experience, and/or interest. Umoja (ooh-MOE-jah) is a word from the Swahili language of Africa. It means unity and togetherness. Umoja is the principle for the first day of Kwanzaa.
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