Professor Finishes 73-Year Association With Columbia
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A long-time fixture at Columbia University has retired.
Japanese literature expert Professor Donald Keene, 88, taught his last class on Tuesday.
Keene began teaching at the university in 1955, and before that was an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral student at the school.
Keene said he will miss his students, but he plans to move to Japan.
"When the disaster occurred there, it gave a new meaning to this, because being with people in good, prosperous times is not so meaningful, but to voluntarily and gladly join with people in a time of disaster is more unusual," said Keene.
Keene has written 25 books in English and 30 in Japanese. He has received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including some of Japan's highest honors for advancing Japanese culture and literature.