Picture of John Nishiyama¹

Knox College and John Nishiyama

This page details Knox College's attitudes toward Japanese American students during WWII by focusing on John Nishiyama, a student of Occidental College on the West Coast who was forced to transfer to another college because of the impact of Executive Order 9066 in 1942. He was interested in transferring to Knox College, so he and Remsen Bird, the president of Occidental College, corresponded with Knox College. These letters show that Knox College had a welcoming attitude toward Japanese American Students. Viewers can also observe that Occidental College was very supportive of his transfer to a different college through their letters, student newspaper, and John’s letter of thanks to Resmen.

The article “Oxy Nisei Speak…” writes about the thoughts of Japanese American students at Occidental College, December 10, 1941

The picture of four of six current Japanese students at Occidental College³

December 10, 1941

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Nisei at Occidental College made a statement through the student newspaper.

“Two articles appearing side by side in The Occidental, the student newspaper, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor: ‘Japanese Youth…’ describes Nisei individual and organizations pledges of loyalty. ‘Oxy Nisei..’ are the ‘six of us on this campus, all thankful and proud for this opportunity to study and uphold American institutions of democracy.”²

“we Nisei wish to extend our sincere appreciation to our fellow students for their kind understanding and assuring trust in this crisis which so suddenly struck the United States.”

“With shock and regret do we read of the unpopular and definitely treacherous action of the military government of the Japanese Empire, and with no hesitation but with our sincerest desire we join all Nisei in again pledging our loyalty and support to the U.S. government and armed forces.”

“Conference with the presidents of  the college has reassured us of the understanding of the college in the Nisei citizens of America.”

Letter from Remsen Bird to To Whom It May Concern, April 21, 1942

April 21, 1942

In this recommendation letter, Resmen Bird explains that John Nishiyama, a junior at Occidental College which is located on the west coast of the U.S., is leaving for Chicago to transfer to a midwestern institution. Resmen strongly recommends John Nishiyama in the letter.⁴

“I vouch for his integrity, his loyalty, his patriotism, and the readiness on his part to do whatever he may do for his country, the United States of America.”

Letter from Remsen Bird to Carter Davidson, President, Knox College, April 21, 1942

This is a letter from Remsen Bird to Carter Davidson, President of Knox College. Resmen explains his position as a liaison in facilitating the relocation of Japanese American students and tells Davidson about John Nishiyama’s desire to transfer to Knox College.⁵

Letter from Remsen Bird to J. Howell Atwood, Knox College, April 21, 1942

This is a letter from Remsen Bird to J. Howell Atwood of Knox College. Resmen wishes for Atwood's sympathy on the issue of relocation of Japanese American students.⁶

“As our Occidental emissary in Galesburg, will you please give it your personal thoughtfulness, and insofar as it is appropriate, your support.”

Letter from J. Howell Atwood, Knox College, to Remsen Bird, April 27, 1942

April 27, 1942

This is a letter from J. Howell Atwood of Knox College to Remsen Bird.

“He expresses a desire to ‘seek more data regarding the young man in question [John Nishiyama] that we may be sure his coming to us would be reasonably happy for him as well as fair to us.’”⁷

“April 27, 1942  Dear President Bird:  I have presented your letter to President Davidson with my own expressed conviction that we should seek more data regarding the young man in question that we may be sure his coming to us would be reasonably happy for him as well as fair to us. Both Dean Carpenter and Dean Adamec happen to be away today, but Mr. Davidson will be writing you soon after talking with them.  Most cordially, Howell”

An ear to the ground, The Occidental, April 29, 1942

April 29, 1942

Badgley, executive editor of the student weekly newspaper at Occidental explained the effort of Dr. Robert Fitch, who headed the faculty committee, to place John Nishiyama in another college.⁸

Letter from Charles J. Adamec, Dean, Knox College, to Remsen Bird, May 6, 1942 (1 of 2)

Letter from Charles J. Adamec, Dean, Knox College, to Remsen Bird, May 6, 1942 (2 of 2)

May 6, 1942

This is a letter from Charles J. Adamec, Dean of Knox College to Remsen Bird

“He describes discussions with Carter Davison (President of Knox) and the Student Council regarding the admission of Japanese-American students. He writes that Knox would like to accept two male and two female American-born Japanese students. He expresses ‘personal sympathy’ related to the relocation of Japanese-American students.”^{9 10}

“I hope that you will feel that I personally am sympathetic both with the problem of the Western colleges and universities and with the Japanese American students who through force of circumstances should find themselves in so difficult a plight.”

Letter from Charles J. Adamec, Dean, Knox College, to John Nishiyama, May 6, 1942

Charles J. Adamec, dean of Knox College also sent a letter to John Nishiyama. In the letter, he mentions that he is sending the most recent catalog, summer bulletin, and application for admission form to give John Nishiyama some information about Knox College.¹¹

“Be assured of my personal interest in you and your plans”

Letter from Remsen Bird to Charles Adamec, Dean, Knox College, May 12, 1942

May 12, 1942

Resmen Bird thanks Charles J. Adamec, dean of Knox College for the response to Japanese American students.¹²

“Thank you very much for your letter which I have read very carefully and which becomes another important document in our great experience in the care of our Japanese-Americans.”

“I am so grateful, myself, for the reassurance that comes through letters like yours.”

Letter from Robert E. Fitch, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Occidental College, to Remsen Bird, May 27, 1942 (1 of 2)

Letter from Robert E. Fitch, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Occidental College, to Remsen Bird, May 27, 1942 (2 of 2)

May 27, 1942

This is a letter from Robert E. Fitch, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Occidental College to Remsen Bird

“In this letter Fitch encloses a list of Japanese American students enrolled at Occidental and those accepted to attend in the fall. He is writing to the prospective students to determine their whereabouts and to ‘see what can be done for them.’”^{13 14}

John Nishiyama is listed as having been accepted to Oberlin College.

Letter from John Nishiyama, to Remsen Bird, May 28, 1942

May 28, 1942

John Nishiyama sent a letter to Resmen Bird explaining that Oberlin College, where he finally chose to transfer, had welcomed him and expressed his gratitude for the support Resmen had given him and other students of Japanese ancestry.¹⁵

“The task of making new friends is a problem now solved as everyone graciously accepted me without question. This provincial outpost is certainly a safe haven for me, and I believe that everything will go well from here in.”

“Thanking you for all you have done for me and the rest of the Japanese students. Will never forget your friendship and kindness towards me. I remain.”