Independent scholar Althea Keiko Nagai, aged 70, passed away on August 21, 2024, in Rockville, Maryland after a short battle with gallbladder cancer. Born on June 30, 1954, in Hilo, Hawaii, Althea was a revered scholar, a dedicated researcher, and a loving presence in the lives of her family and community.
Althea grew up on a plantation in the rural town of Keaau, on the big island of Hawaii, 45 minutes outside of Hilo. She was the eldest daughter of Kaoru and Yaeko Nagai and grew up alongside her younger sister, Natalie. An alumna of Hilo High School, Althea’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the University of Hawaii and later to the University of Chicago, where she earned her doctorate in political science. There she met and married Robert Lerner, who was also earning his doctorate in sociology. Their only child, Joshua, was born in November of 1989, and, following in his mother’s footsteps, earned his doctorate in political science and is now a social scientist at NORC (National Opinion Research Center) at the University of Chicago.
Her career was distinguished by her time as a professor at Smith College, where she collaborated with political sociologist Stanley Rothman and co-founded Lerner-Nagai Quantitative Consulting. Her scholarly work, particularly her seven co-authored books with her late husband, ranged in topics from elite public opinion formation, the organization and funding of nonprofits, to the efficacy of different adoption laws—which captured the breadth of her interests and expertise.
Althea’s most prominent political and intellectual legacy includes her time as a Senior Fellow at the Center for Equal Opportunity, where her research contributed to exposing the breadth and depth of racial preferences in college admissions. This work helped shape public opinion and laid the groundwork for nine statewide ballot initiatives to ban racial preferences. Her work provided the cornerstone for the landmark Supreme Court cases against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina prohibiting the use of racial and ethnic preferences in college admissions. Moreover, CEO, led by then-General Counsel Roger Clegg and Chairman Linda Chavez, provided Althea with an environment in which her statistical and analytic talents could flourish.
Her personal attributes—her kindness and her thoughtful and caring nature—were the heart of her family’s life. Althea’s love of music, whether playing the piano or guitar, was a source of great pleasure and the foundation of many cherished family memories. As she was proud to point out she was a professional musician, having played lounge piano and served in a backing band during college and graduate school. She also loved to watch and argue about sports and politics, two of her favorite pastimes.
Her life exemplified love and dedication, particularly in her role as a mother and grandmother. The happiness she derived from her family, especially her granddaughter Eliana, was unmatched.
After Robert’s passing, Althea later married political scientist Ken Masugi and adopted his Boston terrier, Yoda, as her own. She also became close with Ken’s daughter, Vera Yevsukov, who was a great source of comfort and support throughout her battle with cancer.
Althea was preceded in death by her parents, Kaoru and Yaeko Nagai, her sister Natalie Nagai, and her first husband, Robert Lerner. She leaves behind her husband, Ken Masugi; her son, Joshua Lerner; daughter-in-law, Catherine Lerner; and her beloved granddaughter, Eliana Lerner.
Althea was a lifelong member of Puna Hongwanji, her hometown Buddhist temple, where she found spiritual solace and community. In recollecting her life and contributions, a memorial conference will be held in the greater DC area in late March. This seminar will pay homage to Althea’s impact on others and celebrate her rich and meaningful life. She will be interred at the Puna Hongwanji alongside her parents and grandparents at a private family ceremony next year.
