On October 2, the 2019 Zhinian Homecoming Ceremony was held at Tianjin University’s Weijin Road Campus, to celebrate those who graduated in Zhinian（whose graduation year ends with 9）.
The day also marked the 124th anniversary of Tianjin University and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. More than 1500 alumni home and abroad came in groups to celebrate the homecoming and the anniversary, with approximately 400 of them and other representatives in attendance at the ceremony.
The celebration included colorful activities, giving the campus a festive excitement. Some of the alumni dressed in academic attire and took photos, paid a visit to the Peiyangyuan Campus, the History Museum and the Library, and joined in the activities held by the schools and colleges. Others strolled along the Qingnian River and reminisced about the past, while a few f jogged around the campus. Those who attended the ceremony sang My Motherland and Me to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The event ended with the school’s anthem as a blessing for the university.
Lin Fuzhen a graduate in 1969 from the School of Civil Engineering. He said: “I met my Mrs. Right at this campus which witnessed the most romantic moment of my life. It has been 50 years since my graduation. It feels like I’ve been away from home for 50 years, and I have missed it very much. Some things have never changed, say, the Building No.9, which was very familiar to me. It looks really nice. I sincerely wish the university a splendid future.”
Yang Jun graduated in 1989 from the School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering. He commented: “The year 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of my graduation. The university has developed rapidly and changed significantly, with more and more younger generations entering the university and bringing about vitality. The most unforgettable thing during my years in the university was that I strolled with my wife around campus at night, hand in hand. My wife was then a younger schoolmate and we came from the same place. Thanks to Tianjin University, our destinies are tied together. I believe that the university will definitely prosper, and I sincerely love my alma mater forever.”
Alumna representatives made speeches at the ceremony. They included: Hao Jinxiang who attended the university in 1959 and was the former senior engineer of China National Nuclear Corporation, Pu Wenzhi who matriculated into the university in 1964 and is now the chairman of the board of KunShan WanFeng Electronice Co., Ltd., and Wang Benlong, who entered the university in 1995 and is now the manager of Zhengrong Group, among others.
Although they represented the alumni from different times, their speeches shared some common thoughts including: birthday wishes to the alma mater, expressing gratitude for their teachers, friendships, memories, life, the joy of reunions and expectations. These speeches stuck an emotional chord among the attendees.
As the representative of the faculty, Professor Zhang Sherong shared with the alumni touching stories of past times in the university. He said that it was the concern and support of the alumni that contributed to the progress of the university, and genuinely hoped that together they can add a glorious page to the development of Tianjin University.
President Jin Donghan delivered a speech at the ceremony. He warmly welcomed the alumni and extended greetings to the over 300 thousand alumni home and abroad. Jin went on to thanked the alumni for their long-time help to the university, and said that one of the purposes of this homecoming was to boost the relationship between the university and the alumni. He sincerely hoped that with their help, Tianjin University will become a world-class university and contribute the prosperity of China.
Lei Ming, Vice Party Secretary of Tianjin University and Vice Chairman of Tianjin University Alumni Association briefed the achievements made in recent years in terms of talent cultivation, teaching faculty, disciplinary construction, and alumni business. According to Lei, there are altogether 122 alumni associations distributed around the world, and graduates are welcomed to take part in the associations or contact the associations of their schools and colleges.
By: Wu Jingjing
Editors: Harlan Haverback, Sun Xiaofang
