One hundred and fifty years ago, William Smith Clark, then the president of Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts, Amherst) was invited to Hokkaido, Japan to establish the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). Clark was influential on both sides of the Pacific. He appointed the first group of faculty at UMass, and oversaw the first class of students. In Japan, he helped the scientific and economic development of Hokkaido as the country underwent its transition from a feudal system to a more industrial economy.
To this day, Clark is celebrated in Japan, with many statues and the widespread knowledge of his parting words “Boys — be ambitious” (speaking to a class of male students). When I was last in Japan, I bought a cup of coffee from a vending machine and the cup that dropped down was imprinted with those memorable words, and I have yet to meet a Japanese citizen who is not familiar with that phrase.
Here in Amherst, Clark’s legacy is imprinted all across the campus in the form of numerous magnificent trees and shrubs that Clark and colleagues brought back from their time in Japan, most notably a huge Japanese elm on the corner of South College. This and other beautiful trees can be seen by following the trail map of the Frank Waugh Arboretum (https://www.umass.edu/arboretum) which provides a wonderful guide to where those trees can be seen on the campus. The trees have all been carefully taken care of by UMass gardeners over the years.
Sadly, another notable monument to Clark’s legacy has not been taken care of and is in dire need of refurbishment. Clark Hall is arguably the most architecturally significant building on campus, dating from 1907. The university should step up and honor Clark’s legacy by restoring the building to its former glory. It would be a fitting tribute to Clark and all that he contributed to UMass and Hokkaido University to establish this as a place where our two cultures can meet once again — an East-West Center for the 21st century, where UMass students can gather and learn about Japan, and where Japanese students and guests can learn about all that UMass has to offer.
Clark urged his students to be ambitious — let’s take up that challenge and restore the Clark building, 150 years after Clark first went to Japan. There are surely opportunities for bilateral financial sponsorship to get this done. So, Chancellor Javier Reyes — be ambitious! Let the restoration of Clark Hall be part of your legacy and something that UMass students can cherish in the years ahead.
Raymond Bradley lives in Leverett.