Ms. YAO Wenqin, an eminent alumna of Zhejiang University, died at the age 105 on June 16, 2021 in New York, U.S.
Yao obtained her bachelor’s degree in education at Zhejiang University in 1940 and studied for her master’s degree in early childhood education at the University of Pittsburgh in 1946. She taught at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York from 1950 to 1990, dedicating her life wholeheartedly to early childhood education. “Her contributions to UNIS are remarkable and memorable. She is fondly remembered by her colleagues as well as the children she taught,” Lea Rangel-Riaeiro, the former principal of the junior school of UNIS, said of Yao.
Though living afar, Yao and her late husband Dr. Y.C. TANG were deeply attached to their alma mater—Zhejiang University.
At the centennial anniversary of Zhejiang University in 1997, they returned to Hangzhou. They were overcome with emotions while recalling the tough years when Zhejiang University had to relocate to West China in the 1940s. “The spirit of ‘seeking truth’ has nurtured and cultivated me. It is thanks to my education at Zhejiang University that I could start my business from scratch in the United States and make some achievements,” said Tang. On hearing that Zhejiang University lacked adequate funding for the building of a students’ center, they donated 2.4 million dollars at the eleventh hour.
In 2010, they made another generous donation of 2 million dollars towards the construction of the Chemical Engineering Building on Zijingang Campus.
Ms. Yao attended the inauguration ceremony of the Yongqian Building.
By rough estimates, they donated nearly 100 million yuan to Zhejiang University in their lifetime. Their donations played a vital role in infrastructure, disciplinary development and talent cultivation at Zhejiang University.
Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America granted Ms. Yao and Dr. Tang the Founder′s Award.
The alumni couple were also the founders of the Zhejiang University Alumni Association in North America. They committed a lot of efforts to the establishment and development of the Association as a cozy and warm “haven” for those ZJUers who studied in the United States.
Ms. Yao directed the orchestra of the Wenqin Arts Troupe during the University’s 107th anniversary celebration.
In 2001, Yao funded the establishment of the Zhejiang University Wenqin Arts Troupe. It consists of six sub-troupes: a symphony orchestra, a traditional Chinese music orchestra, a chorus, a dance troupe, a keyboard orchestra and a drama club. It has become one of the best-known arts troupes among China’s universities.
The Zhejiang University community will long remember the legacy Yao and Tang have left behind.
Source： ZJU News