The Guam Community College Board of Trustees yesterday conferred an honorary professor title on Daisaku Ikeda, the president of Soka Gakkai International.

According to members of the board, the title was bestowed upon Ikeda for his "lifelong and tireless efforts to promote peace, culture, and education, and his dedication to humanitarian activities."

"Education is empowerment (and) ... Ikeda has spent a lifetime promoting that philosophy," said Mary Okada, GCC president. "We promote that at Guam Community College."

Ikeda, 82, wasn't at the ceremony, but sent word of his gratitude in a letter that was read aloud by Yoshikata Oba, general director of Soka Gakkai International. Oba spoke through translation.

"I offer my abiding appreciation to the goodwill and generosity that all of you have extended (to) me," Oba read. "My gratitude is made doubly so knowing that the GCC is a bastion of public education that has taught and trained so many people who have embarked upon every corner of the globe like endless waves searching across the vast open seas."

According to the Soka Gakkai International Web site, the organization is a Buddhist network that actively promotes peace, culture and education through personal change and social contribution.

Ikeda formed and became the first president of Soka Gakkai International in 1975.