Satsuki Ina. Photo by J.K. Yamamoto

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Dr. Satsuki Ina has received the 2008 Alumni Award for Creativity from Oregon State University’s College of Education.

She produced two documentary films about the Japanese American internment experience, “Children of the Camps” (2000) and “From A Silk Cocoon” (2006).

Dr. Richard Shintaku, formerly on the faculty at OSU and currently dean of student services at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, nominated Ina with the following statement:
“Dr. Ina continues to demonstrate a lifetime commitment to education and social justice in creative ways that are unparalleled. In addition to accumulating decades of service as an educator, counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist and community activist, Dr. Ina is highly touted for her creativity and sensitivity as a creator, producer and storyteller of award-winning documentaries chronicling the unique stories and experiences of Japanese Americans interned during World War II."

The award was presented June 15 at the College of Education graduation ceremony. Ina graduated from OSU’s Department of Counselor Education in 1980.

She is professor emeritus at CSU Sacramento and is currently in private practice in Sacramento.

Following the College of Education awards ceremony, Ina was invited to address former Japanese American students who were to be conferred honorary degrees at the OSU commencement exercise. Of the 42 students forced to leave OSU because of the internment, 23 were honored. The 13 deceased students and others unable to attend were represented by family members.