People: Shoreline resident honored by Emperor of Japan

Samuel M. Shepherd honored by Japan

The Government of Japan announced that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has decorated Shoreline resident Samuel M. Shepherd with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

The award was announced on November 3, 2010, which is officially designated as "Culture Day" in Japan. 

Shepherd received the medal "in recognition of his contribution to strengthening of the relations between Japan and the United States through educational exchanges and internationalization of education in Japan."

Order of the Rising Sun

The formal presentation was made at an invitation-only reception at the Japanese Consulate-General's residence on Queen Anne on Friday, January 24, with friends Herb and Gloria Bryce in attendance.

Raised in Japan, the son of missionary parents, Shepherd speaks Japanese fluently. He lived in Japan for over 30 years, developing and administering international education programs. As director of the Fulbright Program, he influenced the internationalism of the Japanese education and reformation of Japan's college / university system.

He serves on numerous boards, foundations, and societies and is currently Advisor to the Society for Testing English Language Proficiency.