The Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) became the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, or Shorenstein APARC, effective September 1, 2005.

The name change is in recognition of the $15 million lead gift by Walter H. Shorenstein, one of the Center's longtime benefactors. Walter H. Shorenstein is founder of the Shorenstein Properties, LLC, a San Francisco-based real estate company. He is also active in many philanthopic and political causes.

Stanford president John Hennessy, Freeman Spogli Institute director Coit Blacker, APARC founder Daniel I. Okimoto, and APARC director Gi-Wook Shin all warmly praised the announcement, and affirmed Shorenstein's clear vision for and unwavering commitment to the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region. Okimoto noted that, Shorenstein's gift made the Center "the envy of all academic entrepreneurs who yearn to be supported but left alone to do their own work."

As Stanford University's International Initiative takes shape in 2005 and beyond, more attention will focus on Shorenstein APARC, and the crucial regional perspective that it brings to the Initiative's key themes of security, governance, and human well-being.