The commencement ceremony for the 2005 class was held on June 4th, starting at 9:00 in the morning with a walk from the Ching-sheng Statue, up to the Lantern Boulevard and around the Chinese Palace Styled classrooms before the graduates and faulty members headed back to the Student Activity Center at 10:00 for the ceremony.

The theme of this year’s graduation ceremony was about “transformation and flying upward”, symbolizing the process this year’s graduates would be experiencing. This message was given to them personally by Dr. Clement Chang, the Founder of TKU and the President, Dr. Flora Chang. They wished all the graduates to “transform” into their new life with joy and courage, which will lead them into a much more creative and viable life.

There are 7,725 graduates in total this year, including 1,015 from the Masters programs and 50 the Ph.D.’s. All Ph.D.s went up the platform individually to collect their diplomas from Dr. Flora Chang, whereas there were student representatives accepting diplomas for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees on the behalf of the rest. Amid awarding diplomas, other awards, such as for excellent students, outstanding services and best athletes were also announced.

Among this year’s post graduates, some are mature individuals who went back to college after years of accomplished professional work, such as a Legislative Yuan member, Lee Shieng-jiung, Police Chief of Taipei County, Huang Mao-hui and an enterprising mogul in traveling industry, Hsieh Hsien-Zhi, just to name a few. Yet, one graduate’s story stands out amid many success stories—it is that of Lee Ke Han of the Department of Public Administration, who is wheel-chair bound due to a car accident during his studies. Despite his disability, he finished his college degree and is about to continue his graduate studies in September.

For parents and family who could not attend the ceremony in person can download the ceremonial photographs from TKU website. Simply click on the university’s code of arms, pictures and related reports will be available immediately. (~ Ying-hsueh Hu )