Morningside Connect

Morningside College Alumni in Japan had an informal gathering on January 6 at TGI Friday in Shibuya, Tokyo. Nami Toyotani, a 2003 Morningside graduate, organized this gathering. She chose the location for its American atmosphere and food.

The idea of gathering with other Morningside College graduates in the Japan area came from Yumiko Guelcher.

“When I said let’s get together with other Morningside College graduates in the Tokyo area, Nami volunteered to contact everyone,” said Yumiko.

Yumiko is the wife of Morningside professor Dr. Greg Guelcher. He teaches world, Asian, and Middle Eastern history, imperialism, and Vietnam history. Yumiko used to teach in the Sioux City School Districts as an ESL teacher, which she did for ten years. In August 2014, she took on a new adventure as a full time Japanese teacher at an international school, the American School in Japan, located in Tokyo.

Thanks to the age of technology and social media she has been able to stay in touch with many Morningside Alumni living in Japan.

Within the first three months, she met other Morningside Alumni that live in Japan, Tomomi Konno, Akira Tanaka, Kana Maeno, and Nami Toyotani.

“Nami Toyotani was always good with people at Morningside and she still is. I think she was one of the officers of the International Students Society at Morningside,” said Yumiko.

“My daughter Alyssa, grew up with many of the Japanese Morningside students, as Greg and I often invited them over to our house fro Japanese dinners and conversations,” said Yumiko. “Nami has been like Alyssa’s big sister.”

The ages of attendees ranged from the Class of 2003 to the Class of 2009. “We all shared fond memories of our time at Morningside College,” said Yumiko, “and talked about mutual friends, professors, classes. And the fund things they did.”

“For me it was neat to watch these alumni, many of whom came to Morningside at age 18, now matured and independent. They have their completed degrees, started careers, and continued to explore and build their own lives. The experience at Morningside seems to have given them a strong foundation for that!” said Yumiko.