On April 5, 2001, International Shinto Foundation President Toshu Fukami was honored by Columbia University at its annual Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) reception for university benefactors. From 1997-2000, ISF had funded an annual graduate fellowship in Shinto Studies through Columbia's Institute of Medieval Japanese Studies. Since last year, ISF has arranged to fund a similar fellowship through the Department of Religion. ISF is currently also in discussion with Columbia regarding the development of a permanent chair in Shinto Studies in future. Mr. Fukami was greeted at a private reception by Columbia University President George Rupp, who thanked him for his generosity and presented him with a gift volume about the University. During the following banquet, outstanding benefactors of GSAS were introduced by Columbia University Vice President David Cohen and recognized for their gifts. Selected graduate students who were recipients of this funding then presented their research topics. The first recipient of the ISF Fellowship in the Department of Religion will be Ms. Heather Blair, who is currently studying in Japan.