text: Providence College NewsHeadlinesPacific Visitors
  Image CaptionFrom left: Michiro Nakamura; Rev. Juan Manuel Gonzalo Belmonte, O.P.;
  Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80; Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. '78 & '84G;
  Rev. Mariano Gonzalez Martin, O.P.; and Mr. Kuribayashi.
  Page Content​College Hosts Japanese Educators, Dominicans
  Two educators from a prestigious Japanese junior-senior high school, accompanied by two Dominican priests who serve in Japan, visited Providence College recently to learn more about higher education in America. Representing Aiko Junior & Senior High School in Matsuyama City, Ehime Province, were Michiro Nakamura, the school's principal, and Mr. Kuribayashi, a teacher in charge of the school's international program. A mission school founded in 1952 by the Spanish Dominicans of the Holy Rosary Province, Aiko offers students high-level human, moral, religious, and intellectual education in the Dominican tradition. Because a large number of its students annually get access to the best universities in Japan, especially those with medical facilities, Aiko consistently is ranked among the 20 best schools in the country.
  Nakamura and Kuribayashi toured the College with two Dominicans: Rev. Juan Manuel Gonzalo Belmonte, O.P., a Madrid, Spain, native who is a member of the Holy Rosary Province and is regional prior of the Dominican Vicariate of the province, and Rev. Mariano Gonzalez Martin, O.P., the prior from Matsuyama who lived and studied for two years at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.
  The Aiko educators expressed particular interest in the College's language department programs, science spaces, library, and recreational areas during their daylong visit. The visitors' day began with a reception in the Office of the President, where they met with senior administrators including College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80; College Executive Vice President and Treasurer Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. '78 & '84G; Marifrances McGinn, vice president, general counsel, and risk manager; John M. Sweeney, senior vice president for finance and business/CFO; and Adrian G. Beaulieu, dean of international studies. In addition to a general campus tour, the Japanese delegation toured the Albertus Magnus Science Complex, Phillips Memorial Library, the Concannon Fitness Center, the Peterson Recreation Center, and other facilities. The group also met with administrators from several academic and non-academic units and with faculty members in multiple disciplines. At the end of its visit, the group also attended Mass in St. Dominic Chapel and witnessed a reading and vespers service in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas. "We were delighted to welcome our visitors from the Aiko School and Dominican colleagues from Japan. As we become increasingly a world college, international visits like these will become more and more our experience at PC," said Beaulieu.