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Chika Matsumoto (Class of 2017)
July 1st, 2021
Alumna Chika Matsumoto (Class of 2017) Receives Student Life Award from Pacific University
Pacific University, located in Forest Grove, Oregon, awarded PBA alumna Chika Matsumoto (Class of 2017) the 2021 Outstanding Contributions to Student Life Award earlier this year in May. Chika, who also served as the undergraduate student representative on Pacific University’s Board of Trustees, was one of five seniors to receive the award.
Chika received her Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and also minored in dance and Japanese. She was a member of the Pacific Dance Ensemble and recently entered the physical therapy program at the University of Colorado.
As a student member of Pacific’s Board of Trustees, Chika valued her ability to share the perspectives of sometimes misaligned stakeholder groups. “I was able to educate many students and faculty about pressing issues such as the cost of tuition when classes were primarily online,” she said. Her passion to serve Pacific University led her to take on a variety of leadership roles. “I loved the opportunity I had to serve on a hiring committee for an Asian-American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution grant that Pacific was recently awarded,” she explained.
Contributing to student life is not a new concept for Chika, who was a member of PBA’s performance taiko group Hyaku Sen Ki Kai Taiko. In her first semester of study for a doctorate at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, she will continue her training as a physical therapist for the next two and a half years. She intends to continue her community involvement while in school.
“The University of Colorado’s physical therapy program offers many opportunities. During my first week of school, I volunteered at a local boxing club that puts on a program called ‘Punching for Parkinson’s.’ I am looking forward to more things too, such as pro-bono clinics and practicing in rural or medically underserved areas,” she said.
Although Chika is not sure where life will take her after she is a licensed physical therapist, she hopes to return home to Hawaii.
Chika’s PBA adviser, Mr. Udell, commented on her time as a high school student saying, “Chika was a master at balancing her scholarly interests with her extracurricular passions, all while being a thoughtful member of PBA’s student community. She has honed those traits in college and it is wonderful to see her recognized for her numerous contributions to Pacific University. Chika’s pursuit of a doctorate will undoubtedly be more than just an academic journey and I look forward to the positive impact that she will continue to have as a peace leader in the classroom and beyond.”
PBA congratulates Chika on her accomplishments at Pacific University and wishes her success in the pursuit of her new degree at the University of Colorado.
