The Nation - News from June 16, 1986

Forty-four years later, a teacher who was barred from attending her university graduation because of World War II restrictions against Japanese-Americans received her diploma in Eugene, Ore. Michi Yasui Ando, 65, was the only Japanese-American in the University of Oregon class of 1942 when she earned her degree. To avoid being sent to an internment camp with the rest of her family, Ando fled Eugene in the middle of the night, just days after military officials denied her request to attend graduation. University President Paul Olum presented Ando with a copy of her 1942 diploma at the 1986 spring commencement. Ando now teaches at a Denver elementary school.