UNDERSTANDING JAPAN: The UW Japan Studies Program has received the Japanese Foreign Minister's Award for 2009. The award is presented to individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. Japan Studies is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Japanese is the second most popular language on campus, after Spanish, and about a thousand students enroll in other Japan-related classes every year.

UNSUNG HERO: Custodian Lead Alfredo (Fred) Valdez is an unsung hero. In fact, he is one of only two runners-up for the 2009 Unsung Hero Award from the International Executive Housekeepers Association. Valdez was nominated by Gene Woodard, director of Custodial Services, for his exceptional work performance and contribution to the department's mission. "We depend on Mr. Valdez to get things done," his nomination letter reads. "What makes Mr. Valdez's traits noteworthy is that he has a clear, conscious sense of what the department needs and what role his colleagues play in making an organization work, and work well." Valdez has worked at the UW for 33 years.

OUTSTANDING IN OPTICS: Ione Fine, assistant professor of psychology, has been elected a Fellow of the Optical Society of America. OSA Fellows are "regular members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics." Fellows represent no more than 10 percent of the OSA membership and the number elected each year is limited to .4 percent of the current membership.

Do you know someone who deserves kudos for an outstanding achievement, award, appointment or book publication?  If so, send that person's name, title and achievement to uweek@u.washington.edu.