The warmth of Tamkang University (TKU) alumni had expelled the coldness of Vancouver. More than 100 TKU alumni in Vancouver marked the Chinese Lunar New Year at a gathering held on Feb. 9, 2003.

Different from the tradition to dine at a restaurant, the gathering was held at the Lions Party Room of the Lions Towers where Wang Yang-wen, a graduate of Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, and concurrently Honorary President of the alumni association of the department, lives. All things from meal, drinks to the performance were prepared by members of the Board of Trustees, TKU Alumni Association in Canada. It’s not only financially practical but helps unite alumni together.

Chiang Sheng-der, a graduate in 1980 from Department of Chemistry and concurrently President of the TKU Alumni Association in Canada and other three members of Board of Trustees made arrangement of the gathering site early in the morning. Kuan Peng-chi, a graduate of 1975 class of Department of Water Conservancy, offered Karaoke equipment while Hsieh Shan-hua, a graduate of Department of Banking and Insurance, was in charge of fruits. She’s also the toastmaster of gathering. Hsieh said that she was informed to be the toastmaster of ceremony at 10:00 pm of the previous night. Cheng Ming-chi, a graduate of 1975 class of Department of Chemical Engineering, prepared the beverage while Lu Ming-hua, a graduate of 1975 class, Department of Cooperative Economics taking charge of the meal and refreshment. In order to ensure the meal and the refreshment are to arrive on time, she asked personnel of her own restaurant to work overtime.

Wang Tseng-tsai, former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, has always enthusiastically taken part in the gathering after he settled down in Vancouver two years ago. Prof. Wang has become a respectful “spiritual leader” of TKU Alumni Association in Canada. James H. Tsao, a graduate of 1963 class of the Department of English, and Huang Chi-tsan, a graduate of 1968 class of the Department of International Trade, took part in the gathering. Both Tsao and Huang are two of the founders of the TKU Alumni Association in Canada. Tsao said that he was so pleased to see that the number of Alumni Association has jumped to 143 members since the association was founded eight year ago.

Many TKU alumni emigrated to Canada after retiring from their career. Chen Tsai-chuan, a graduate of 1955 class of Tamkang Junior College of English, emigrated to Vancouver 27 years ago. Many alumni also found their second spring of career. Huang Ming-yen, a graduate of 1983 class of the Department of Business Management, is a programmer in IBM while Chou Chi-jui, a graduate of 1979 class of the Department of Chemistry, now is running a travel agency in Vancouver. After a joyful day, they all hope to meet again soon.