Dr. Zukie Hirota

In Japan, Zukie practices the martial art of Budo-Aiki. You'll love seeing her moves at this year's Gala. She has published five books and enjoys studying piano, French, dancing, singing and golf.

She is also recognized as a Master of the Tea Ceremony. Her home is in Tokyo where she has been involved in management at the Lakeland College Japan campus since 1996.

Zukie graduated from College of the Ozarks in Missouri, completed a management and leadership program at Harvard Graduate School of Education and received an honorary doctorate in international education from Lakeland College. Zukie has been dedicated to the international education of students for over 25 years and currently helps in the education of children in Cambodia through her daughter's memorial foundation.

She welcomes the opportunity to participate in this year's Gala to celebrate the longstanding relationship between Lakeland College and the Lakeland College Japan campus. You won't want to miss her performance of the samba, paso doble and rumba performed to Japanese music.

Zukie is sponsored by Lakeland College Japan campus and NIC International College in Japan. She has chosen the Lakeland College Japan campus as the recipient of 50% of the proceeds raised through the purchase of extra votes on her behalf.

She will be performing the latin showcase dance "Fragrance of Japan" with her dance partner, Masanori Okazaki.