Want to know how East China Normal University was founded by big names like Ma Junwu, Wang Boqun, Ou Yuanhuai, Zhang Shouyong, Zhu Jingnong, Liao Shicheng, Meng Xiancheng, Lu Simian, Chang Xiping, Liu Fonian, and Shi Ping?
Wonder what happened between East China Normal University and its predecessors like Great China University, Kwang Hua University, or St. John's University? Want to hear more stories about Liwa River and Yingtao River?
On Sept. 8, the second day of the new school year, university officials and historians shared school stories with more than 8,900 freshmen from both Zhongbei and Minhan campus.
Tong Shijun shares stories about the University with the freshmen.
University leaders Tong Shijun, Ren Youqun, Guo Weilu, Mei Bing, Li Zhibin, and Wang Rongming, and former president of ECNU Wang Jianpan. Also researcher Zhu Xiaoyi, University museum curator Tang Tao, and deputy curator Wei Mingyang attended this event.
At Siqun Hall of Zhongbei campus, Tong Shijun, Chairman of University Council, shared stories about the University, its teachers and alumni. Tong, who has been studying and working at the University for many years, said the University was, “A national key university based in Shanghai,” “A research-oriented university that is strong in education,” “A comprehensive university that values physical and mental fitness of students,” “An international university that regards rejuvenating the nation as its duty.” Mr. Tong told the students his understanding of the abbreviation of the school’s name ECNU. E refers to the three values of community construction: Excellence, Equity and Elegance. C refers to the “Three Ambitions” of universities, namely, Creativity, Character, and Community. N refers to three qualities for scientists, namely, Normative, Novelty, and Networking. U refers to three targets of education: Upward, Upright, and Universal.
Ren Youqun, Guo Weilu, Mei Bing, Li Zhibin, Wang Rongming share school history with the freshmen.
At Minhang campus, school leaders Ren Youqun, Guo Weilu, Mei Bing, Li Zhibin, Wang Rongming told students the university’s history, culture and evolution. They gave speeches around six aspects: the history of ECNU, its status as a high-level national key university, a research-oriented university with traditional strength in cultivating potential teachers, a comprehensive university aiming at cultivating comprehensive talents, an international university with increasing influence in the world, university value and famous alumni. Their speeches helped the freshmen understand the history and culture of ECNU, who became more proud of the university when hearing the lectures.
Students of both campuses attend the lectures with great interest.
“After hearing today’s lectures, I feel the schoo’s history has come alive! It’s so much fun!” said Wang Fei, a freshman of the Chinese Language Department. “True stories with details --- that’s where the charm of history lies.”
