Peking University, May 7: Peking University commemorated its 117th Anniversary on May 4. As part of the celebrations, the university held a homecoming carnival for its alumni on May 3. A wide variety of events took place throughout the day as many alumni, old or young, in China or from abroad, enjoyed themselves. Some of them came with their former classmates, while others took their children with them as they all joined in the jovial event.
As usual, Peking University Alumni Association organized many activities for the returning alumni. Volunteers led them around campus to revive their youthful memories in an activity called “A Garden Stroll in Search of Your Dream”. Those who completed the activity – which involved visiting seven places around campus – would receive a hand-drawn map of Peking University. The “Nostalgic Moment” gave them the opportunity to put on their academic dress and relive the moment they graduated from the university. All the alumni got a glimpse of rarely displayed exhibits and precious ancient books in the activity “The Cultural Journey”. Alumni who graduated at different times gathered together as they talked and laughed about their time back at school. A number of sports competitions were also held to deepen the friendship among the alumni. Cameras flashed and picturesque sceneries were captured on campus. These photos were put on display at the “Yanyuan” Photography Competition.
Enthusiasm among the alumni was obviously high. Dr. Wang Ping, who was admitted as a Ph.D. student at Peking University Law School in 1994 and currently teaches at China University of Political Science and Law, arrived on campus at 9:30 in the morning and visited the seven required places to win the hand-drawn map in just over an hour. He told the volunteers, “I feel very excited every time I return to my alma mater. Everything about Yanyuan (the name of the campus of Peking University’s predecessor, Yenching University) is improving all the time. Best wishes to my alma mater!”
Dr. Wang and the other alumni weren’t the only ones enjoying all the activities. The children of these alumni also had a good time when they joined in poetry readings at Peking University Stanford Center. Executive vice-president Wu Zhipan was also present as he drew a picture as a gift for the children and blew the candles with all of them to wish Peking University a very happy birthday.
Peking University showcased the very best of its art prowess for the alumni. Philharmonics, dance troupes, folk music orchestras, choruses, opera singers and reciters all took to the stage and left the audience in awe of the excellent performances. The stage extended even further as the day went on – a music festival everybody can participate in took place on the iconic lawns of the No.1 Sports Ground. The alumni may have different ages and jobs, but they all shared the same passion for their alma mater, and that was unleashed to its finest as they sang the songs of their student years under the afternoon sunshine. The setting sun didn’t stop them – flood lights continued to light up their zeal well into the night.
As part of the homecoming carnival activities, Museum of Peking University History staged a special exhibition of Liang Shuming, a great Chinese philosopher, sinologist and former faculty member of Peking University. Over 160 historical photos and Liang’s manuscripts were on display. The first 500 alumni who visited were presented with a Peking University history themed calendar as a reward.
Alumni who made an endowment to Peking University were given a toy bear featuring a graduation cap and the Chinese characters of “Peking University”.
Top school officials spoke with the alumni on the future development of Peking University. Chairman of Peking University Council Zhu Shanlu mentioned that the university is officially launching preparations for its 120th anniversary. He promised that the university would never neglect its alumni, but it also needed the support from its extensive alumni network. He wished the future of the alumni, the university and China all the best. Lin Jianhua, the newly-appointed President of Peking University, spoke about the university being through the crucial final phases towards its ultimate goal of becoming a world-class university. He appealed for unity among all students, faculty members and alumni to realize this dreamof many generations.
For those alumni who weren’t able to return to Peking University in person, Peking University Alumni Association used various means, including the official Wechat and Weibo account, to publish news and photos of this glamourous carnival.
More details of the activities are available at Peking University Alumni (In Chinese).
Reported By: Xu Liangdi
Edited by: Zhang Jiang
