Silent and Boundless Love Deeply Attached to Zhejiang University. On the morning of June 22, Zhejiang University held a memorial service at Yongqian Student Activity Center on Yuquan Campus in memory of Ms. Yao Wenqin, a distinguished alumna of Zhejiang University and a “Model of Love for Hometown” of Zhejiang Province.
Every member of Zhejiang University was deeply saddened by the news that Ms. Yao Wenqin passed away at the age of 105 in New York City, USA in the early morning of June 16. Ren Shaobo, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Wu Zhaohui, President of Zhejiang University entrusted the Alumni Association to send messages to the relatives of Ms. Yao Wenqin, expressing their deepest condolences to her and sincere sympathy to her relatives. Those present at the Memorial Service included President Wu Zhaohui, Vice President Huang Xianhai, Huang Shumeng, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang University Development Committee, relatives of Ms. Yao Wenqin, beneficiaries of the donation projects of Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang, and some students and teachers, who remembered her profound patriotism, high value of education and great contributions to the progress of Zhejiang University.
Although they were living afar, Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang devoted themselves to Zhejiang University, their alma mater in talent cultivation, scientific research, campus construction, international exchanges and cooperation, donated considerably to more than ten projects over the years, including Yongqian Student Activity Center, Yongqian Mathematics Building, Yongqian Chemistry Building, Wenqin Art Troupe, Dr. Y. C. Tang Discipline Development Fund, Research and Development Fund for Early Childhood Education, and participated in the establishment of Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America.
President Wu expressed that we can visualize her enduring spirit of seeking truth, sustained values of original aspirations and the philosophy of “still waters running deep” throughout her life. Ms. Yao applied her experiences of studying in the University into the concept of fostering talents via virtue, transformed the values of the University into honoring and working for the excellence of the University, and united the alumni friendship into the unity of members for the progress of the University. We convey our memorials to Ms. Yao Wenqin in order to learn from her profound love of her hometown, her sincere dedication to education and her noble norms of virtue and integrity, and to inspire the University members to seek truth, pursue innovation, scale research frontiers, and work for the high pace of the University into a top world-class university.
Yao Jinyun, a younger sister of Ms. Yao Wenqin and Mr. Tang Changdan, a nephew of Dr. Y. C. Tang, recalled in their speeches that Ms. Yao Wenqin, very concerned about the development of China and Zhejiang University, returned to China many times for the matters of constructing student activity center, teaching buildings and student art troupes. With her great emphasis on early childhood education, she brought with her boxes of teaching aids and advanced educational concepts every time she returned to China. Her determination, benevolence and selflessness are worthy of our learning and remembering for generations.
Huang Shumeng and Zhang Meifeng, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang University Alumni Association, said that students and teachers will never forget the profound love of Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang to their alma mater, and their care and support inspire every student and teacher to work harder and make greater contributions. Representatives from College of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Public Physical Art Education, Early Childhood Education Service Center, and some representatives of the donors to Dr. Y. C. Tang Discipline Development Fund, student representatives of Wenqin Art Troupe and representatives of Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America were also present and delivered their speeches.
Meanwhile, those present at the Memorial Service included the heads of relevant departments and students, e.g. the CPC Committee Office, the University Office, the Talent Work Office, the Undergraduate School, Yuquan Campus Management Committee, Development Liaison Office, Career Development Center, Archives, the Chu Kochen Honor’s College, and the Center of Mathematical Sciences.
Their norms will last long though they have been away from us.
Their Profound Love to Zhejiang University will long be remembered by us.
Together with “Wenqin” and “Yongqian”,
We get to know more about their stories.
In May, 2021, the relatives of Ms. Yao Wenqin were still inquiring about the matters concerning returning to Hangzhou, as Ms. Yao, though over 100 years old, was still anxious to return to her homeland and her alma mater. However, the sad news was that she passed away before she could make it home.
A native of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Ms. Wenqin Yao obtained her bachelor’s degree in education at Zhejiang University in 1940, became a teacher at China Experimental High School and China Teacher Training School later on, studied for her master’s degree in early childhood education at University of Pittsburgh from 1946 to 1949. She then did research at Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York from 1950 to 1990. In 2003, she was appointed Honorary Director of Early Childhood Education Development Center of Zhejiang University.
There are countless successful names, but those who are successful but do not forget to be calm, peaceful and repay are admired and respected. Although they had lived afar for years, Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang were very much concerned about the progress and prosperity of China and Zhejiang University. Although they had been away from us, their norms of loving and honoring the University will live on forever in our hearts. This article is dedicated to the respect and remembrance to Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang.
Affinity with Zhejiang University
Yao Wenqin and Y. C. Tang were admitted to Zhejiang University over 80 years ago, and their life had been connected with the University since then. However, China was plunged into the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression after the outbreak of the “July 7th Incident” in 1937. In November, Hangzhou was in a serious situation and President Zhu Kezhen made a decision to relocate the university to the west China in order to keep the University running and maintain the cultural heritage. Yao and Tang were sophomores then and they decided to follow the westward migration of the University, and finally settled temporarily in Meitan after going through Jiande in Zhejiang, Taihe in Jiangxi, Yishan in Guangxi and Zunyi in Guizhou in fire and flood.
After graduating in 1940, Ms. Yao, following the advice of President Zhu, went to establish Middle School Affiliated to Zhejiang University in Meitan with Hu Jianren, while Mr. Tang became an assistant teacher at the University. The two young hearts fell in love with each other and decided to tie the knot for their life. They got married in 1942 and invited President Zhu for his kindness upon them. In his diary, President Zhu wrote, “I attended the wedding banquet at the invitation of Ms. Yao Wenqin and Mr. Y. C. Tang”. In response to the fact that her name was placed in front of her beloved husband, Ms. Yao said jokingly, “I was more famous than him at that time, so how can President Zhu write my name after him?”
In 1945, Mr. Tang went to study in the University of Pittsburgh, America. In 1946, Zhejiang University was relocated back to Hangzhou from Zunyi, Meitan and other places and Middle School Affiliated to Zhejiang University was closed. Ms. Yao returned to Hangzhou and went for her postgraduate studies in Shanghai under the supervision of Chen Heqin, a renowned educator in China. In January 1948, Ms. Yao Wenqin also went to study at the University of Pittsburgh and they settled in America since then, started their business and made impressive achievements with their indefatigable toughness and remarkable talent.
In his illness, Dr. Tang expressed his wish to return to his motherland and Zhejiang University and to rest here forever. On May 29, 2013, Dr. Tang passed away in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and returned to his alma mater as he wished.
Love for Early Childhood Education
Ms. Yao Wenqin studied for her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Committed to international early childhood education, she innovated a unique method of language instruction through mathematics and determined to impart her advanced teaching methods and philosophies to early childhood educators in China. Ms. Yao served as a professional member of NAYEC, OMEP, NYSAEYC and other associations, dedicating her life wholeheartedly to the philosophy of “encouraging preschool children to learn by doing and learn by playing”. “Her contributions to UNIS are remarkable and memorable. She is fondly remembered by her colleagues as well as the children she taught,” Lea Rangel-Riaeiro, the former principal of the junior school of UNIS, said of Yao.
After her retirement, Ms. Yao returned to Zhejiang University many times, bringing advanced theories and experiences of early childhood education back to her alma mater, supporting and guiding the early childhood education of Zhejiang University.
In her first visit of Zhejiang University Kindergarten on June 8, 2001, she introduced the schooling mode and curricula of foreign countries, guided the teachers to respect and motivate children in their interest in learning, create relaxing atmosphere and teach in accordance of the aptitude of every child. This was her affinity with Zhejiang University early childhood education for the first time. In Yongqian Mathematics Building, donated by her and her husband, Ms. Yao made a place for the children of Zhejiang University--Wenqin Early Childhood Math Enrichment Room, where she imparted the advanced international concept of early childhood education to her alma mater. At the opening ceremony of Zhejiang University Early Childhood Education Symposium on October 14, 2003, Ms. Yao Wenqin was appointed Honorary Director of Early Childhood Education Development Center of Zhejiang University
For better development of early childhood education in Zhejiang University, Ms. Yao set up Early Childhood Education Development Fund in 2003 to finance early childhood education in Zhejiang University. Targeting at the preschool kids at Zhejiang University Kindergarten, the Fund conducted researches on courses, teaching models, the factors impacting the development of children and the design of an assessment system for children’s special abilities.
“Anything can be a teaching material”, which is one of the most frequent quotations by Ms. Yao in her communications with the teachers of Zhejiang University Kindergarten. Her teaching materials can be autumn leaves or materials in life, which lead children to life and lead life to children, reflecting the educational thought of “Living Education” of her mentor Mr. Chen Heqin.
Caring for Overseas Alumni
Ms. Yao Wenqin, one of the founders of Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America, was one of the biggest supporters of Zhejiang University and the Alumni Association.
When the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the Sino-US relationship became tense, Ms. Yao and Dr. Tang were unable to make it home to their alma mater and motherland due to multiple factors, so they expressed their love in another way. In 1950, they rented a small apartment with only one bedroom, one sitting room, one bathroom and one kitchen in New York City; however, it was in this small and limited space that Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America was born. At that time, the alumni in the United States, sometimes as many as a dozen or a score, often gathered there, enjoying a happy atmosphere. After lively and casual talks, they would dine outside and took a group photo; it finally became a tradition year after year. Ordinary alumni reunion gradually turned into an annual reunion of the alumni of Zhejiang University.
On September 4, 1976, Ms. Yao and Dr. Tang, together with a group of senior alumni in North America who had experienced westward migration in the 1930s and 1940s, set up Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America upon registration, offering a warm “home” for the wandering alumni.
Ms. Yao Wenqin was in close contact with the Alumni Association. There were frequent communications between Zhejiang University as University leaders would usually pay a visit to her in their trips to America and her, as she would send her greetings and blessings to the University during festivals, though miles apart.
Full Support to Alma Mater
“Investing money into education is the most important and meaningful thing, and only with talents can we make China and Zhejiang University stronger.” When Ms. Yao and Dr. Tang, who had been away from their alma mater for half a century, returned to the University for the first time in 1997, they expressed their wish to send a gift to the University as it was celebrating its 100th anniversary. In their talks with Pan Yunhe, former President of the University, they learned that the University was going to have a student activity center built and they immediately decided to donate for its construction. In 2000, Yongqian Student Activity Center was completed in his name and when they returned for the inauguration ceremony in September, Dr. Tang could not help conceal his excitement in saying, “I am very happy to return to my alma mater, and I would like to thank my alma mater for having the center completed and helping me fulfil my wish...”
They recalled the hard days in the past. There had been no places for activities or for making newspapers; dormitories had been the only places where students could gather. Now Yongqian Student Activity Center was not only a base for artistic and cultural activities, for interpersonal communication, but an important landmark of the University as well. Dr. Tang said in joy, “I am glad to have done something for the students.” Ms. Yao Wenqin added, “The stage when I performed in Zhejiang University back then was shabby and dilapidated, and it is a gift and memento for me from my husband.”
“The alma mater has instructed us for so many years, and we are happy to make a contribution.” They have made generous donations and achievements since 1997 to support the disciplines, talent training, scientific research, campus construction, international exchange and cooperation of the University, e.g. the construction of Yongqian Student Activity Center, Yongqian Mathematics Building and Yongqian Chemistry Building, the setting of Dr. Y. C. Tang and Yongnian Tang Fund of College of Chemical Engineering, Dr. Y. C. Tang Discipline Development Fund, Tang’s Education Fund of Zhejiang University City College, Research and Development Fund for Early Childhood Education, Yongqian Chair Professorship and more importantly, the organization of Wenqin Art Troupe.
As a student of Zhejiang University in her youth, Ms. Yao was a “star” of choir and a “leading lady” of drama. She had special memories of the choir as it was in the choir that she met Dr. Tang and fell in love with him. Nowadays, Yongqian Student Activity Center and Wenqin Art Troupe on campus are wonderful gifts from them and the best testimony of their love that spans more than half a century!
Since its inception, Wenqin Art Troupe has staged superb performances on and off campus, e.g. in Hong Kong and Taiwan of China, in America, Russia, Germany and in the United Nations, with the help of Ms. Yao. In 2006, on the occasion of 61st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the Troupe gave a high-level performance with Chinese folk characteristics and lively college atmosphere at the auditorium of Hammarskjöld Library of the United Nations. This was the first time a university-level art troupe had performed at the UN. Ms. Yao once sweetly and proudly recalled in an interview, “I led the Wenqin Art Troupe to perform in Hong Kong and Taiwan; I also introduced them to the audience when they performed at the United Nations.”
There are no pompous or vehement words, only trickles of tenderness, fragrance of light and leisure. There are no grand or earth-shaking words, only selfless and touching care. This is a kind of love from the heart, love beyond words.
Ms. Yao Wenqin and Dr. Y. C. Tang impressed the students of Zhejiang University, with their love, benevolence and philanthropy and inspired them to keep moving forward, to strive for the advances of the University, the progress of society and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.