History
Beginning with the founding of St. John’s University in 1865, the Protestant Church established, in all, 13 Christian universities in regions of mainland China, making a great contribution to the nation’s higher education. However, after 1949 these institutions were forced to close, thereby frustrating Christian education. The following year, a group of enthusiastic Chinese educators proposed to the United Board for Christian Colleges in China to foster the spirit of Chinese youth by establishing an ideal university in Taiwan, that would both continue the work of Christian education in China and inherit the grand tradition of the 13 mainland universities. In 1952, the Board’s secretary, Dr. William P. Fenn, made a trip to Taiwan to investigate the possibility. He decided to establish a university that would meet Taiwan’s needs and also maintain the highest academic standards. In June 1953, the Board sent Dr. Thomas W. Graham of Oberlin College, Ohio representing the organization, together with Dr. Fenn to set up a preparatory office and board to oversee the establishment of the school. They appointed Dr. Li-wu Hang to chair both the office and board. After careful assessment, Ta-tu Hill, west to Taichung City, was chosen as the site of the campus. The school was named Tunghai University meaning Eastern Sea to China.
Read more about this topic: Tunghai University
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