Flight Paths and Faith: Marjo Mitsutomi’s Odyssey of Learning, Leading and Listening
BY LAURYN HOPKINS ’25
3 MIN. READ
Anderson University alumna, Marjo Mitsutomi, has lived a life short of boring. Born and raised in Finland in a Christian household, Mitsutomi was eager to explore the outside world, especially the United States.
Mitsutomi found herself at Anderson College in the late 1970s through the work of God after meeting the college’s dean at the time, at her church in Japan. The dean recruited her to the U.S. to attend college in Anderson, Indiana.
Graduating from Anderson College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and secondary education, Mitsutomi later received her master’s degree in teaching English as a foreign language and her doctorate in applied linguistics/cognate second language acquisition theories from Ball State University. During COVID-19, she completed a post-grad in theology, studying the intersections between one’s first language and culture, and the development of spirituality.
During her time at AU, Mitsutomi noticed the need for more visibility among international student clubs. When she became president of the international student groups, they decided to brainstorm ways to teach the community about their cultures and traditions.
“Food seemed like the first logical step and best idea,” explained Mitsutomi.
Running with this idea, AU’s annual “International Dinner” began—the subsequent response was remarkable.
The annual International Dinner is a collective culmination of different cultural foods made by students of those cultures represented on campus. The success of the dinner furthered new ideas, including the beginning of international variety shows similar to the then-popular Cheap Thrills.
Fluent in three languages and cultures, one of Mitsomni’s passions has always been to teach and enlighten others about different lifestyles and customs. She has taught at many private and public universities across several states and Japan.
One of her most notable experiences was her work at an aviation school in southern California, teaching English.
“Many flight accidents and near misses were common due to misunderstandings in language and communication,” explained Mitsutomi.
She spent years working and developing new global communication standards for pilots and air traffic controllers with other professionals in the aviation industry, all while obtaining her own private pilot’s license.
Finally, in 2003, the proposed standards were ratified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“All my experiences leading up to this gave me the ability to do something to help save people’s lives,” Mitsutomi expressed.
Shortly after leaving the academic community and environment, she became a licensed chaplain and trained mental health coach in Bradenton, Florida, where she presently resides with her husband, Jerry Platt, whom she met during her time in California.
“I’m not teaching anymore, I’m listening,” states Mitsutomi. “I’ve found my time here in Florida to be fulfilling.”
Even though Mitsutomi has left academia, she continues to share her knowledge bases and experiences with everyone she meets, while taking on new projects and living her life to the fullest, making the most out of her very rich life – so far.
Lauryn Hopkins is a junior from Pendleton, Indiana, majoring in public relations event planning and minoring in sport marketing. Lauryn is an associate with Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.