An online book donation ceremony was held on September 10, 2021 to remember a Columbia University alumnus who studied at the university 104 years ago.
Zhang Boling (also known as Chang Poling), the founder of Nankai University in Tianjin China, registered as a student at Teachers College, Columbia University on September 11, 1917. One hundred and four years later, Nankai University joined hands with the 15-year-old Chang Poling Research Association (CRA) in presenting to the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College Columbia University (CoCE) more than 40 copies of 27 distinct books regarding Zhang Boling, including The Complete Works of Chang Poling, The biography of Mr. Chang Poling and Re-reading Chang Poling.
Zhang Jianyuan, executive vice chairman of CRA, also Dr. Zhang Boling’s great-grandson who presided the ceremony, said in his opening speech that it is rare for one university to have such a significant and far-reaching impact on the education of another country, as Teachers College Columbia University had on the education of modern China. “Columbia University can be regarded the cradle of educators in China modern history, with a huge impact on the country,” he said.
Zhang Jianyuan added that “The purpose of this book donation ceremony is to promote the exchange and cooperation between CRA and CoCE, between Nankai University and Columbia University, and between China and the United States, as well as to shed a light on the educational reform in China today.”
Dr. Zhang Boling's studying in Teachers College, Columbia University empowered him with faith in education. The founding of Nankai University in October 1919 signifies the coming together of Eastern and Western cultures in the field of education, and a global expedition of Zhang Boling’s educational ideals.”
During the ceremony, Professor Cheng Henan, executive director of CoCE presented to the audience many precious historical photos of Zhang when he was studying in Columbia University, including photos with his mentors John Dewey and Paul Monroe, as well as Zhang’s correspondence with them. Dr. He Yong, chairman of the Humanities Society of China Institute in America also introduced Zhang's contribution, serving as the board of directors of China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture, in promoting Chinese education with the Boxer Indemnity and establishing China Institute in America.
The event was co-hosted by Nankai University, CoCE, and CRA, and undertook by Nankai Poling Education Corp. Major guests and speakers of the ceremony were Zhang Yuanlong - primary founder of CRA and Dr. Zhang Boling’s grandson, Cao Xuetao - president of Nankai University, Stephanie Rowley - provost, dean and vice President for Academic Affairs of Teachers College, Yang Jun – education counsellor of the Consulate General of China in New York, Cheng Hannan - executive director of Columbia University Center on Chinese Education, Xiao Guangwen - director of the School History Research Center of Nankai University, Henry Levin and AlexEble - chief adviser and adviser of Columbia University Center on Chinese Education, Zhang Chongxian - vice chairman of Chang Poling Research Association, He Yong - representative from China Institute in America, Zhang Lanpu - research librarian from the Nankai University Archives.