The former President of California State University in Sacramento, one of Tamkang’s sister universities, Dr. Donald R. Gerth and his wife came to visit Tamsui Campus on April 21, 2005. President Dr. Flora C. I. Chang, opened the talk by asking questions concerning the administrative situation, development, and management of the California State University System.

Tamkang University has contracted with California State University in Sacramento as sister school since 1981. The former President of California State University in Sacramento, Dr.Donald R. Gerth, was invited by Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TAEA). Dr. Gerth scheduled to stay in Taiwan for one week and to participate in the assessment and evaluation accreditation in such universities as National Taiwan University and Shih Hsin University, etc. Dr. Gerth’s specialty is in Higher Education and used to serve as President of two universities of California State University System for 27 years. He has been a primary figure in America’s Higher Education.

President Dr. Chang also invited two former ministers of MOE, Dr. Chaur-shin Yang and Dr. Jong-tsun Huang, accompanied by Deans of College of Foreign languages and Literature, College of International Studies, and College of Education, and several Department Heads to join the informal discussion and dinner party with Dr. Gerth. Dr. Gerth expressed that during his visit, Tamkang impressed him very much by its unique characteristics, compared to other universities and colleges in Taiwan. Moreover, Dr. Gerth presented President Dr. Chang one of his publications in regard to higher education, An In-visible Giant the California State Colleges, as a gift.

Dr. Gerth also met and had a seminar with school faculty, and in the seminar Dr. Gerth showed the participants his friendly and gentle personality. Although he has already retired from his academic career, he showed his earnest desire for learning. He was always concentrating on the discussion and taking notes at all times. Dr. Che-sheng Gai, Chair of Graduate Institute of Educational Policy and Leadership invited Dr. Gerth in person to teach at Tamkang and share his valuable experiences in the management of Higher Education, if time allows. (~ Yu-lin Lee )