Dr. Paul E. Gray, chairman of the MIT Corporation, has been recognized by the Emperor of Japan for his efforts over the years to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding between the United States and Japan.
Dr. Gray, president of MIT from 1980-1990, has been selected to receive one of Japan's highest honors, the Imperial Decoration, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. The honor will be conferred June 23 by Japan's consul general in Boston, Toshio Mochizuki, at a ceremony at his home in Brookline. A dinner will follow.
In Consul General Mochizuki's letter to Dr. Gray informing him of the honor, he conveyed a message of congratulations from Michio Watanabe, Japan's minister of foreign affairs, who said:
"Please accept my sincerest congratulations on the conferment, in recognition of your outstanding contribution, of the Imperial Decoration, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and my best wishes for your continued good health and happiness."
Dr. Gray is the third member of the MIT administration to be recognized by the Emperor for fostering good will between the United States and Japan.
Dr. Jerome B. Wiesner, Institute Professor and president emeritus, was honored in 1983 with Japan's First Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Professor Emeritus Samuel A. Goldblith, former vice president for resource development, received the Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1984.
Both Professor Wiesner and Professor Goldblith are expected to attend the June 23 ceremony and dinner in Dr. Gray's honor at the home of the consul general. Others from MIT expected to attend are Priscilla K. Gray, Dr. Gray's wife; Constantine B. Simonides, vice president and secretary of the MIT Corporation, and Mrs. Simonides; and Provost Mark S. Wrighton and Mrs. Wrighton.
A version of this article appeared in the June 17, 1992 issue of MIT Tech Talk (Volume 36, Number 34).
