Ohio University to honor Gladys Bailin Stern and Atsuo Iiyoshi with honorary degrees

Ohio University will honor two outstanding individuals with honorary degrees during the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Ohio University Board of Trustees has approved the conferral of honorary degrees to Director Emerita and Distinguished Professor of the School of Dance Gladys Bailin Stern and Dr. Atsuo Iiyoshi, a distinguished physicist and academic leader serving as Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chubu University in Japan.

Distinguished Professor Bailin Stern will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree at a special ceremony on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Athena Cinema in Athens.

Dr. Iiyoshi will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree at Ohio University’s Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremonies.

Director Emerita and Distinguished Professor of Dance Gladys Bailin Stern

A pioneer in American Dance, Distinguished Professor Bailin Stern taught in the School of Dance from 1972-2018. In 1986, she was selected as the first woman to be named as Distinguished Professor at Ohio University.  

Her leadership and vision led the Ohio University School of Dance to national prominence and helped to distinguish it as one of the first modern dance-based programs in Ohio.  Distinguished Professor Bailin Stern taught generations of dancers, imparting deep knowledge of modern technique, choreographic principles, and professional practices. In addition, she has established two scholarships in the School of Dance and has shown her commitment to Ohio University and its students in countless ways.

Throughout her career, Distinguished Professor Bailin Stern has made significant contributions nationally and internationally, and has made a profound difference through her service, commitment and dedication to teaching and dance.

Dr. Atsuo Iiyoshi

The Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chubu University in Japan, Dr. Iiyoshi has strengthened Chubu University’s partnership with Ohio University for more than two decades. In addition, he established the Kazuo Yamada Scholarship for hundreds of OHIO students to attend Chubu University and supported Chubu’s gift which allowed for the renovation and expansion of Yamada International House on OHIO’s Athens campus.

His efforts also contributed to the creation of the Ryozo Ohnishi Graduate Fellowship, offering OHIO graduates full tuition scholarships to study in a Chubu University graduate program, as well as the corresponding creation of a similar program allowing Chubu students to study at OHIO.

A distinguished physicist, Dr. Iiyoshi has been recognized three times as professor emeritus by two universities and the National Institute for Fusion Science, in addition to receiving the 2018 Doctor Honoris Causa from the Russian Academy of Science.