The construction of Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium was originally planned with Shao-mo Memorial Natatorium Complex to glorify my father’s immense contribution to establishing Tamkang University and his lifelong practice of the five educational principles of virtue, intellect, strength, community and beauty. My father was ex-vice President Yuan-tzu Lee’s close friend, who was invited to write on the foundational stone of the gymnasium on November 6th 1999. The gymnasium is about 256,127 square feet divided into three basketball yards and three volleyball yards, five badminton yards, and several classrooms for judo and martial arts, fitness training, gymnastics, table tennis and general classrooms. It also includes 87 offices of student clubs and associations, a space of 11,386 square feet in total for students’ extracurricular activities. School’s large-sized activities, national and international conferences can be held inside the gymnasium, with the maximal accommodation of 3000 people. Therefore, the gymnasium is a building of multiple functions symbolizing Tamkang’s education of “strength” and “community.” The construction started in 2004 and lasted for two years. There are eight stories on the ground and one story underground. The exterior is built with glass with the tint corresponding to that of Natatorium Complex. The designing and supervision of the construction was entrusted to Sho-chung Huang’s architectural office. The spending was above one billion dollars. The building sits on the north and faces the south with magnificent vigor and advanced, perfect facilities. Tamkang is progressing the fourth wave and accumulating more dintinguished academic achievements; therefore, the completion of Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium, in following up Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center, Carrie Chang Music Hall, and Shao-mo Memorial Natatorium Complex, symbolizes Tamkang’s perfection in the software and hardware of the five education principles of virtue, intellect, strength, community and beauty. Bear in heart!

Honorary Chairperson of Board of Trustees

Carrie W. T. Chiang Chang