The English major alumni of the School of Foreign Studies returned to the Alma mater from April 17th to 18th. Class 3 of Grade 2007 met again after more than ten years apart.
Alumni reunited at Dongying campus
On April 18th, the School of Foreign Studies held a symposium for alumni. Participants in the symposium included Dean Mao Haoran, Secretary of School's Party Committee Zhang Yongning, Deputy Dean Wang Xinbo, Deputy Secretary of School's Party Committee Zou Weizhong, alumni of Grade 2007 and teachers, counselors and representatives of current students.
Firstly, Secretary of School's Party Committee Zhang Yongning welcomed the 2007 alumni on behalf of the school. He said, Alumni of Grade 2007 are the first batch of graduates of the School of Arts and the first batch of alumni to return to the school after the establishment of the School of Foreign Studies. Now the School of Foreign Studies has a good development trend and our school is attaching great importance to the construction of foreign language discipline, which are inseparable from the contribution and support of alumni. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you and wish you all the best in the future!
In order to welcome the alumni of Grade 2007, a short video, called Return with a Young Heart after Years of Striving, which was meticulously composed by their counselor Mei Lin, was played. The warm family reunion kicked off with this touching video.
The alumni reminisced about their life in school and wept several times. Alumni representative Hou Bowen emotionally expressed his gratitude to his alma mater. He said that he could hardly forget the days at school. They all appreciated the cultivation of the Alma mater and returned to the Alma mater with gratitude.
Dai Yuchen, the representative of the students in the school, talked about the problems she was facing in her studies and employment. After four years' study, she gradually found her own value. In addition, she expressed her sincere wishes to the school and teachers. After listening to the speeches of alumni and student, the teachers also shared their feelings.
Deputy Dean Wang Xinbo said, In teachers' hearts, you are still as young as ten years ago. We are proud of the extraordinary contributions you have made and the path you have taken in your lives. Grade of 2007 experienced the reforms of the school, but their rigorous attitude, practical style and hardworking spirit have been passed down to this day.
Teacher Dai Ruiliang sighed that ten years imperceptibly passed, but it seemed close at hand. Recalling the life back and forth between two campuses at that time, it was hard but full of happiness. He was happy for the success of the alumni.
Teacher Li Yanyun was impressed by the great changes of the alumni in the past ten years and was pleased with the growth and achievements of all of them. She believed that as a teacher, the most gratifying thing was not that students could remember certain knowledge points, but that they could bring the rigorous attitude they cultivated in school to their future work and life.
Teacher Liu Yuanyuan said, I started to work in 2008, and you are my first class of students. At that time, students thought I was strict, and as I've grown up with the students over the years, I might choose a softer approach to teaching now. Small as the podium is, it can make a big contribution. The greatest comfort for teachers is that students can remember them and are willing to come back to see them. I feel very cordial to see you all, and you have witnessed my youth.
Counselor Mei Lin said in a choked voice, Thank you for coming back to the Alma mater and giving me the opportunity to reflect on those wonderful times. I am also growing up in the company of everyone. Looking back on the past, we will find that those strict teachers left us a deeper impression and gave us a better guidance for our growth.
Dean Mao Haoran made a speech
Dean Mao Haoran said, “You have already possessed three qualities: First, your overall temperament has changed after enriching your social experience. Second, not only do you have aspirations, but you also have the ability to handle mundane lives. I hope you have both professional skills and the humanitarian sentiments. Finally, you still persist in scientific research and continue to create your own value. I also hope you will never forget why you start and continue to forge ahead. Dean Mao Haoran also sincerely asked the alumni for suggestions on the construction of the school.
Alumni representatives presented flowers
Group photos
Youth is a book so hastily written, and we need to keep fighting to make youth without regret. The School of Foreign Studies will always be the home of alumni. We look forward to next reunion and hope that alumni will often come back to visit.
