Dr. Flora C.I. Chang , the former Vice President for Administrative Affairs, succeeds as the 8th TKU president to lead TKU toward 21st Century and the fourth wave of TKU. The Board of Trustees made the decision agreeingly by choosing among four candidates nominated by the Selection Committee. The handing-over ceremony took place on August 2, 2004. Supervised by Dr. Yea-hong Chen, member of the board of trustees, the previous president Dr. Horng-jinh Chang handed over the school seal to Dr. Flora C. I. Chang.
Dr. Flora C. I. Chang, daughter of the founder, Dr. Clement C.P. Chang, took her Ph. D. in Educational Administration from Stanford University, her M.A. in Economics from San Francisco State University, and M.A. in Educational Administration from Stanford University. Since 1986, she has been the Vice President for Administrative Affairs. She is the first female and the youngest president of TKU.
Former Ministry Of Education, Dr. Jong-tsun Huang and Dr. Chaur-shin Yung, attended the ceremony and praised the former President Chang for his achievements in striving for various grants for private universities, setting college evaluating system, and promoting international interchange and communication during his six-year term of office. They recognize the progresses of TKU and wish her remain “the most shining star in the era of competition war.”
In her address, President Flora Chang indicates that TKU has already established various good systems and a well-planned development direction to educate students to be ethical and knowledgeable citizens so as to answer to the needs of our nation and society. She also emphasizes that TKU is “a big family with human touch,” and she will agglomerate consensus of colleagues, understand the needs of students and teachers, and do the best things together with the members of this big family. In representing all the TKU colleagues, she sent former president, Dr. Horng-jinh Chang, a CD Rom entitled “The High Flying Six-Years,” which records the achievements during his tenure.
Afterward, Founder Clement Chang expressed his expectation that the new administrative team will aspire to fulfill the prospect of the fourth wave of TKU. He looked forward to TKU’s success in the competing with not only local but also international universities in the years to come.
Alumni from various places also gathered together at Chueh-sheng International Conference Hall to celebrate this new beginning. Mr. Teng-chien Ho, Director of International TKU alumni association, presented a lazurite sculpture “Climbing High” (betokened aspiring to a new great achievement) on behalf of all alumni. Mr. Shieng-jiung Lee, Director of R.O.C. TKU alumni association, presented a crystal sculpture “Leading Horse” in honor of President Flora Chang’s stewardship.
