06/15/2019．Graduation Ceremony Resembled United Nations: Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages Wished Future Global Leaders Good Luck

The graduation ceremony of the 2018 academic year of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages took place on June 15^th. The ceremony resembled the gathering of United Nations. 1505 students from 15 countries involving 12 different languages graduated. President Margaret Mei-Hua Chen prepared one last class for the graduating students. It was called Wenzao Global Talk for Future Leaders. Wenzao and Sisters gave blessings and love to graduating students through 4 important speeches, in order for them to start a new journey with proper attitude, knowledge and strength.

This year’s graduation ceremony featured different activities, including Graduation Investiture carrying the meaning of Gratitude and Designation. It invited Fan-Gan Hsu (a teacher receiving the President Educational Award), Wan-Ju Yu (Legislator), Li-Kung Hsieh (former Director-General of the National Immigration Agency) and Bo-Hao Hong (a director and alumnus of the Department of German) to talk about social service and experimental education, innovation, startup and women’s economy, multicultural and inclusive society, and challenges of an aged society, respectively, based on Wenzao motto, REVERE THE DIVINE, LOVE THE HUMAN, while sharing their opinions. President Chen indicated that these issues are the keys to the active engagement of social service and career development for graduating students in the future. They also set a new educational direction for Wenzao, which is creating a platform for international professionals and industries, as well as cultivating teachers of Chinese and foreign languages.

Wenzao also gave the 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award to Hui-Fang Sun (the 8^th graduation class under the 5-year junior college program of the Department of English; Senior Vice President of Qi Xin Investment Company) and Ichen Wu (the 21st graduation class under the 5-year junior college program of the Department of Spanish; Principal of the Ichen Art Academy in Northern California, USA) during the graduation ceremony. Both alumni came back from the USA and Taipei, respectively, to accept the award in person, which showed the close bond between Wenzao and alumni.

Chairperson Teresa Ku of the Board of Trustees cited the Gospel of Mark 12:28-34 to encourage graduating students to “set a fundamental attitude and goal for life.” Everyone should think about what is going to be left behind at the end of a journey and what is required for the new journey. Reflecting on yourself and always treating people with kindness are necessary for achieving a better life. She wished that all students can start a new journey with the blessings from God.

As a graduate of the University, President Chen reminded graduating students that they will enter an important life phase with the unique stole representing the expectation and love of sisters, teachers and parents and the pride of being a Wenzaorian. She also gave a good luck message with 20 words: Boldly Facing Challenges, Selfless Service, Strength of Kindness, Innovative Approach, Diversity Embracement, Teamwork Skill Development, Mutual Trust and Sharing Feelings. Students are expected to develop confidence and self-awareness, learn self-reflection and realize their full potential, in order to face a diverse and extensive world.

There were over 60 graduating foreign students from the USA, France, Spain, Mongolia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Macau. Wan-Yi Yan , a graduating student from Malaysia, mentioned in her speech the 3 most precious things she obtained in Wenzao. The first one is making lifetime memories with best friends. The second one is the courage to face new challenges and the third one is seizing the opportunity to experience new things. She also said that advice given by teachers can help us build a bright future.