“O, grand Tamkang, roll out to Seas...” resonates as Jian-Fu Li, an alumnus from the Department of International Trade (now Department of International Business), leads along with the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments President Samuel Su, 350 alumni in singing the school anthem. Organized by the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments and the Office of Alumni Services and Resource Development, the 2024 Spring Feast alumni gathering took place on March 16, at the Chang Yeo Lan International Conference Hall, Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
Skywentex International Corp. Chairman and Chemical Engineering Department alumnus, Andy Chen, attended a signing ceremony with President Huan-Chao Keh, donating NT$16.25 million to give back to the alma mater. The donation will be allocated to the Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering's “Biomedical Engineering Laboratory.” Over the years, he has contributed nearly NT$35 million to various initiatives including the Center for Sustainable Development and Social Innovation, College of Artificial Innovative Intelligence, College of Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering, and Advanced Quantum Computing Research Center. Andy Chen humbly stated that his donation is not a big one, originally hesitant to speak about it, but seeing world-renowned universities receive countless contributions from their alumni, he believes that if more people donate, it can continue to illuminate the development of the alma mater.
The Spring Feast was presided over by Hai-Jun Mo, Secretary-General of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments. Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang, President Huan-Chao Keh, 3 vice presidents, former President Ron-Yaw Chao, Executive Director of Alumni Services and Resources Development Chun-Young Perng, founding President of the TKU Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments Rui-Long Sun, Chief Advisor Lawrence Lin, former convener of the supervisors of the Tamkang University Worldwide Alumni Association Headquarters Feng Kuo, Secretary-General Shu-Chong Li, President of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters Tsang-Jiang Chen, Vice Presidents Liang-Yu Lin, Meng-Chi Hsu, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors You-Chong Li, Secretary-General Yi-Min Hsu, Treasurer Ya-Shu Hung, Vice Presidents of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments Li-Chu Yeh, Chi-Cheng Su, Chao-Long Tsui, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Rui-Feng Chang, Financial Officer Jin-Shan Wu, and others from various departmental alumni associations attended. Appreciation prizes were awarded to donors with contributions ranging from NT$ 500,000 to NT$ 1 million, along with Outstanding Alumni Awards recommended by each departmental alumni association. Alumni joyously returned to the Tamkang campus.
All of the 52 outstanding alumni this year have excelled in various fields. For instance, Nien-Hsien Ma from the Department of Communication published a song album at 24 years old; Chen-Shan Chang from the Department of Accounting promoted new regulations in the capital market; Shao-Chien Hu, the director of Taipei Broadcasting Station; Lianron Lin, a Ph.D. from the Strategic Studies Institute of Tamkang University and Deputy Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO); Hsiu-Mei Keh from the Department of English, President of the Northern California Chinese College Alumni Association; and Tsung-Min Chen from the Department of Diplomacy, the former Prosecutor-General who, at the age of 83, is still pursuing a Ph.D. in Management Science at our university. Jian-Fu Li mentioned that reminiscing about the classes taught by former President Ron-Yaw Chao and the camaraderie with classmates and friends at Tamkang has always been the driving force behind his entrepreneurial journey. Nien-Hsien Ma expressed that he didn't perform exceptionally well during his time at school, hoping that everyone wouldn't feel inferior if they didn’t perform well, as everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
President Keh expressed in his speech that Tamkang University's achievements are the result of the collective efforts and support from past presidents, chairpersons, and alumni, which have led to the school's continuous development. Alumni have demonstrated outstanding performance in society. Chairperson Chang pointed out that organizing the Spring Feast allows alumni to return to the alma mater in spring, appreciating the azaleas and cherry blossoms, and reminiscing about the beautiful memories at school. On that day, Chairperson Chang happened to be wearing a baby-blue coat, matching the color scheme of the Spring Feast's theme. It was noticed that many supervisors and alumni today were also dressed in shades of blue, adding to the spring atmosphere.
The special lecture was delivered by Dr. Te-Peng Tseng from Taiwan Adventist Hospital, titled “Application of Regenerative Medicine in Male Pattern Baldness.” He introduced the factors influencing male baldness and treatment methods, emphasizing the advancements in modern medicine and how hair transplantation is a form of technological aesthetics, akin to investing in oneself.
This year, many alumni have returned to campus together for the reunion event. This includes 30 alumni from the Department of Management Sciences and the Department of Japanese, respectively, 22 from the Department of Business Administration, and 20 each from the Department of Public Administration and the Department of Banking and Finance. Additionally, alumni from Kaohsiung, Tainan, Yunlin, and Changhua have also traveled to the event, with buses full of alumni coming from the south to the north to participate in the activities at their alma mater.
At 2 p.m., the departmental alumni associations arranged a fun DIY activity. Deputy Secretary-General Nei-Shi Lin taught alumni to make green bean cakes and pipe cleaner flowers. Alumni personally crafted adorable tulip and persimmon shapes, happily taking their creations home.
