This month in history (142 years ago)
Students began arriving at U-M from Asia as early as 1872, with the matriculation of Saiske Tagai of Japan. He studied literature for three years but did not earn a degree. He was soon joined by several countrymen, including law students. The 1890s saw a great rise in the population of international students at U-M, with the arrival of the first Chinese, South American and Middle Eastern students. Much of the diversity can be attributed to President James B. Angell, who served as U.S. minister to China (1880-81) and Turkey (1897-98) and elevated U-M’s reputation in the world.
— The University Record
