In Memoriam: Simon Matthew Hultman, Class of 2003
Simon Hultman was always asking questions. An international
studies major with a concentration in East Asian studies, Hultman
demonstrated an intense intellectual curiosity about the world
and a spirit of adventure that took him to Japan and, last fall,
to Hungary. He died January 26, 2004, after a serious illness.
He was 22.
Hultman had been fascinated by Japanese culture as a child growing
up in Hawaii, and into his young adulthood “loved all
things Japanese,” remembers Tahir Shad, his faculty adviser.
He spent his sophomore year studying in  Japan.
At Meiji Gakuin University in Yokohama, Hultman was part of
a circle of international students studying Japanese politics,
language and culture. During the long semester break, he was
able to travel extensively around the country.
His study abroad experience helped Simon crystallize what he
wanted to do—to live and work in Japan. After graduation,
he had hoped to teach in the JET Program (teaching English as
a foreign language in Japan) and eventually go on to graduate
school for Japanese studies. He had recently completed intensive
language instruction in Japanese at Middlebury College.
Working with Professor Andrew Oros, Hultman was writing his
senior thesis on Japanese foreign policy. He also was involved
in planning and editing the inaugural International Studies
Review, a publication featuring the work of undergraduates and
graduates and expected to be published this year.
As an international studies major, Hultman participated in the
Model United Nations at Magill University in Montreal and the
Security Council Simulation at Yale University. He was scheduled
to take part in the Model UN again, when he fell ill. This past
fall semester, Hultman became the first Washington College student
to study at the University of Pecs in Hungary.
On campus, Hultman distinguished himself as a generous, funny
and loyal friend to many in the Washington College community,
especially to those international students who are far from
their homes. He was a member of the International Relations
Club and the International Studies Council.
Washington College is seeking to raise money in Hultman’s
name to support travel opportunities for international studies
majors. To contribute, contact Professor Tahir Shad at (410)
778-7779 or
e-mail him at tshad2@washcoll.edu.
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