2024 Jefferson Award Winner: Manabu Taketani
Manabu Taketani recently received the 2024 Jefferson Award for his commitment to serving the Greater Lafayette community and making it a better place for everyone. For the last six years, Taketani has been working at Purdue University as the Program Administrator of the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (also known as AAARCC – pronounced as ark). Through his role, he helped promote and organize opportunities for the campus and local community to learn more about the experiences and diverse cultures that reflect Asian and Asian American identities. With his educational background in higher education and student development, Taketani is equipped with skills to connect with students. He takes pride in watching and helping students grow as individuals and realize how their experiences relate to others and the world around them.
“I can’t think of anything more rewarding than working with students as they discover more about who they are as individuals and explore their passions inside and outside of the classroom setting.”
Manabu Taketani
Taketani is drawn to work that inspires and creates meaning for others. For him, there is no greater honor than working and connecting with people. Some of his previous work includes organizing the Lunch & Learn program, an opportunity where people can gather for a meal and learn more about one another. This program has brought the greater Lafayette community together, with more than 1,200 participants during the 2023-2024 academic year alone. Another impressive accolade of his was the Lunar New Year Celebration event. This annual event draws people from both the Purdue campus community as well as the local community. It is the largest Lunar New Year event in the state and this year approximately 1,300 people attended.
For the past four years, Taketani has volunteered for the West Lafayette Global Fest planning committee. With his work on the committee, he continually shows his dedication to promoting cultural diversity and global understanding within his local community. His selfless contributions have assisted in making the greater Lafayette area more inclusive and interconnected. Since 2018 Taketani has also volunteered his time and experience serving the annual Asian Fest hosted by the Asian American Alliance, Inc. This event supports the celebration of culture, community, and connection in the Indiana community.
In the eyes of Taketani, the greatest impact one can achieve is growth. For him as a faculty advisor to multiple student organizations, it has been a joy to witness the individual growth of students and the growth of understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures and experiences spreading throughout the community. Even though this is his final semester at Purdue University, his commitment to growth will be remembered in the highest esteem. In the fall, he will pursue a Ph.D. in higher education at Indiana University focusing on pedagogical wellness. Additionally, as one of the 2024 Jefferson Award Winners from Purdue, he will attend the national Salute to Service in September in New York City and is eligible for a National Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Employee.
“Growth is something that does not happen instantaneously but rather is something you can observe over time.” … “We all understand that every journey begins with a single step. I’m excited for the next giant leap ahead of us all!”
Manabu Taketani