How the Vision of LUJ’s First Dean Shaped The University of Today

How the Vision of LUJ’s First Dean Shaped The University of Today

When Lakeland University Japan opened the doors to its Tokyo campus in 1991, 29 foreign universities were competing to establish a place within Japan’s international education landscape. From the beginning, LUJ’s first dean, Dr. Stephen A. Gould, envisioned an academic environment defined by pedagogical excellence, global perspective, and meaningful human connection. As LUJ celebrates its 35th anniversary, the university remains one of only two American universities to have thrived and integrated into Japan, and its faculty believe the secret to LUJ’s success has been the desire to ensure that all students, across the EAP, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs, receive the level of excellence that Dr. Gould imagined. 

In March 1991, Dr. Gould was interviewed by the Sheboygan Press and asked how, with many wonderful domestic universities and a sudden rush of American competitors in Japan, LUJ would be able to stand out. Dr. Gould answered that “It’s our intent to be the standard by which other programs are judged.” His ambition and conviction were that LUJ would never be ‘just another foreign campus’. Professor Valedorian Cline, who taught alongside Dr. Gould at LUJ from 1992 to 1994, described Dr. Gould as a highly influential educator who shaped the depth of LUJ’s approach to American liberal-arts education. 

“Dr. Gould always placed students at the center of education. He encouraged teachers to carefully observe students’ progress, understand their goals, and design classes around their needs and ambitions. ” Professor Cline explained that Dr. Gould’s leadership style emphasized dedication, professionalism, and genuine concern for student growth, continuing, “He believed classrooms should focus on interaction, communication, and critical thinking rather than passive lectures or information memorization.” Professor Cline believes this educational philosophy still strongly exists at LUJ today, especially in its emphasis on interactive learning and student-centered education.

Dr. Gould’s role in shaping LUJ was vital to ensuring that it grew into the thriving American university in Tokyo that it remains to this day. More than three decades after LUJ first opened its doors in Tokyo, Dr. Gould’s original vision continues to appear not only in institutional history but in everyday classrooms, faculty mentorship, and the confidence students develop through their education. After leaving Japan and returning to Lakeland University’s Wisconsin campus in 1994, Dr. Gould went on to serve as Lakeland University President from 1998 to 2012; his continued support allowed LUJ to flourish even despite his absence. When he passed away in 2025, current Lakeland University President, Dr. Beth Borgen said, “President Gould was the embodiment of everything that is Lakeland. He cared deeply for this institution and its people and became a role model for countless others to feel the same. Thanks to his leadership, Lakeland made significant strides forward that have us well-positioned today for success for years to come… while he will be deeply missed, we will forever celebrate his legacy.”

This historical feature and LUJ’s ongoing institutional mission directly advance the following global initiatives:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Championing a 35-year legacy of student-centered pedagogy, critical thinking, and interactive learning across all degree programs.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Building a resilient, internationally recognized academic institution that bridges American and Japanese educational frameworks.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Sustaining a successful, cross-cultural educational partnership between Lakeland University in Wisconsin and the Tokyo campus since 1991.