? Writers Bing Xin, Xu Dishan, Ling Shuhua, artist Sun Daolin, physicist Yuan Jialiu, famous medical people Zeng Xianjiu, Wu Jieping, Wu Weiran ... These people are familiar to the people and praised by the academic circles. They are all students in yenching university.
In the remaining 38 years, there are nearly 10,000 graduates, 57 academicians of the two academies, 3 journalists sent at the surrender ceremony of World War II, and 7 members of the delegation who visited the United States with Deng Xiaoping from 65,438 to 0979 ... The legendary Yanda University has trained the most cutting-edge talents for all walks of life, and it has all the advantages, which is incomparable to Peking University and Tsinghua today.
? Of course, there must be something special about this "world class" legend.
1/ Connecting with the world-Harvard Yanjing Society was established
Yenching university was a comprehensive missionary university in the Republic of China, which was formed by the merger of three missionary schools. Before Si Tuleideng officially took office, he and several teachers decided to name it "yenching university" after the ancient Beijing. Teachers and students from all provinces and cities of the motherland and countries all over the world gather here to form a new collective. Regardless of national boundaries, multiculturalism has long been a major feature of yenching university. Even if you walk in the campus of Yanjing, you can feel a strong "international" atmosphere.
Harvard University, a truly first-class university in the United States, was praised by many people as soon as they heard the title of "Harvard University". Not only today, but at that time, Harvard University had already gained considerable fame in academic circles. It was one of the best schools in the United States and had great advantages over other schools in teaching and scientific research.
However, the relationship between yenching university and Harvard University can be traced back to the huge Hall Fund. At the beginning of the 20th century, yenching university rose gradually, but at the beginning of the school, the school funds could not meet the needs of future development.
The original school site is an arsenal in the southeast corner of Beijing, which is the original site of Huiwen School. It's a bungalow, which is not only pitifully small, but also a place where camels, wagons and wagons have to pass out of the city, making them so noisy that they don't want to be a quiet place to study. "There are less than 100 students and no teachers. All the teachers add up to only two from China. Many teachers in the west didn't meet the requirements of university teachers. What's more, half of the funds were gone ... "Bao Guisi, a teacher at that time, recalled.
In order to find a suitable new school site, after applying to the American Trusteeship Department, Si Tuleideng personally visited Xizhimen by bike or donkey every day, and finally chose a piece of land opposite Tsinghua University. Almost all of the $50,000 provided by the Task Management Committee was used to repair the school site, and there was little cash left. The operation of the school is also very tense. President Si Tuleideng recalled the experience of visiting friends and raising money everywhere, saying that it was like laying the foundation for the wharf underwater. His suitcase is covered with signs to go to various places because it has been used for too long and the suitcase is very old. From the outside world, Yanjing is thriving, and only the people in the bureau know the hardships.
? "I accept a school that is not only penniless, but also seems to be ignored." Si Tuleideng said this when he first became the principal.
Just when we were at a loss, after the death of Charles Martin Hal, the king of American aluminum industry, the news of will distribution came. It is stipulated in the will that "1/3 of the legacy must be used to finance the education in Asia or Balkan countries under the management of the British and Americans", which naturally makes yenching university see the dawn of hope.
Harvard University, which is planning to build a museum and a chemistry laboratory of the Art Department, is also eyeing this huge Hall Fund. In order to win this fund, Harvard also tried to cater to Hall's last wish-"developing education in a foreign land", and began to prepare for the establishment of oriental research institutions and seek partners. Yenching university, which has the same needs as the Hall Foundation, the same educational philosophy and great academic research potential, has undoubtedly become the first choice for Harvard cooperation. Coupled with yenching university's unique traditional cultural advantages in China, cooperation can be promoted immediately. 1925 In September, the "Harvard Yanjing China Research Association" was born, and it was formally incorporated in Massachusetts three years later.
? Yanjing and Harvard seem to have an unusual tacit understanding. They not only got the Hall Fund quickly, but also improved their academic development. The generous treatment brought by the Hall Heritage Fund and the academic scope of Harvard Yanjing Society have attracted a large number of celebrities and scholars to join in it, becoming the hometown of Guo Shaoyu, Zheng Zhenduo, Sun Jiedi and others.
"Thanks to the generous commitment of Harvard University, I am really grateful to associate their beautiful name with a small missionary school in China."
John Leighton Stuart
Shortly after the establishment of the Society, its exclusive Hanhe Library became the absolute highlight of Harvard Yanjing Society. Many rare books of Ming and Qing dynasties are kept here, and most of them bought two books, one in yenching university Library and the other in Harvard University. 1925, 10000 books increased to 14000 books only four years later, and 1933 reached 220000 books. This library, which combines eastern and western cultures, has quickly become the information center for studying Orientalism in the world, the largest East Asian library in the western world, and of course an inexhaustible treasure for students of Harvard Yanjing Society.
From 1928, Harvard University and yenching university began to exchange graduate students and visiting scholars. Hong Ye and Bo are the first teachers of Yan 'an University who were hired as professors by Harvard. In the following years, a large number of celebrities emerged among the scholars sent by yenching university to Harvard: Qi Sihe, an expert in world ancient and medieval history and pre-Qin history, later served as the head of the yenching university history department; Weng Dujian, an expert in Mongolian and Yuan history, later became the last president of Yanda University, and later served as the deputy director of the Institute of Ethnic Studies of China Academy of Social Sciences; Zheng Dekun, director of the China Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong ... Yanda has added new strength to his lineup.
2/ Knowledge first-strict teacher selection system
When recruiting teachers in Yanda University, individual's race, nationality, political views and religious beliefs, which are often used to divide different grades, are totally irrelevant. Si Tuleideng and other school leaders know that Yan University needs a knowledgeable and active scholar, not a politician with superior race. This land by the unnamed lake is always open only to the learned.
"Civilization is not national, but worldwide. If we integrate the civilizations of all ethnic groups, we can deepen mutual understanding among all ethnic groups. Our purpose is to cooperate with the ancient China culture and help produce a new culture. " Si Tuleideng explained the principle of employing teachers in Yanda University.
Huang Hua, who later became People's Republic of China (PRC)'s foreign minister, mentioned in his memoirs that there are many transliteration works of Ma and Engles in the library of Yanda University, which are full of freedom.
The original Yanyuan teachers were appointed by various church organizations, and it was not until Si Tuleideng became the principal that he applied to the new york Trustee Department for the autonomy of hiring teachers. Those priests sent before are not qualified as teachers and can no longer teach in yenching university. Some people say that the appointment system of teachers in Yanda University is "strict in standards and the first of its kind in China", which seems exaggerated, but it really lives up to its reputation. 1922 promulgated Yan Daxin's grade qualification standard for faculty and staff, and determined six grades (full professor, associate professor, professor Xiang, lecturer, teaching assistant and teaching assistant) representing Yan Daxin's tradition. Under strict conditions, only four professors were identified at that time, which shows that the gold content of "Professor Yan Da" is very high.
Yenching university soon became a place where famous teachers gathered: Qian and Zhou Zuoren of Chinese Department, Liang Qichao of History Department and Wu Wenzao of Social Department ... Together with the idea of "paying equal attention to practical learning and pure Neo-Confucianism", the originally weak literature and history teaching began to advance by leaps and bounds, and Yanda gradually gained recognition from all walks of life.
Bing Xin's first assignment as a Chinese teacher in yenching university was an autobiography of 1000~2000 words. After receiving it, she talked to each student and graded them. According to Bing Xin's daughter, "This was rare at that time. We should combine everyone because everyone is different. "
YuShan Guan, 99, was employed as a physical education teacher by Si Tuleideng after graduating from the Chemistry Department of yenching university. After liberation, he became the vice chairman of Beijing Sports Association. It seems that the major is wrong, but it contains the good intentions of the discipline setting of Yan University.
"This is a very important consideration for you," Si Tuleideng once talked to him. "Because I know you study chemistry, and your grades in chemistry are not bad, but we need our own students to add science to physics class." His tone was calm and sincere. "Sports physiology, physical flexibility and sports psychology are all courses that are not available in other schools. Because no one teaches them, I hope you will carefully consider whether you are willing to do it."
A year later, YuShan Guan, who had become a physical education teacher at Yanda University, was sent to Columbia University to major in sports science. This is unique among other universities in the same period, and therefore becomes one of the characteristics of yenching university.
Yu Songhua, an independent journalist, commented on Zhang, a professor of philosophy at the university: "He is free from any constraints in giving lectures and can express his unique views orally or in writing."
? "Yanjing's teaching and scientific research are of high standard and quality. As for me, I have done almost nothing in teaching and scientific research. My duty is to give teachers as much free space as possible and let them give full play. " This passage in Si Tuleideng's memoirs can be regarded as a great man's modesty, but it also reveals the key to the rapid development of Yanda University-the faculty. How can powerful teachers reassure university presidents that they are only responsible for "giving teachers free space"? Throughout the ages, Wei Yan has such strength.
Although many Chinese and American people and scholars from Britain, France and other countries work in Yanda University, most of the funds for school construction come from personal donations from the United States, but most of the teachers and department heads are from China. In order to improve the treatment of teachers in China and make them receive equal pay for equal work with foreign teachers, Si Tuleideng decided to pay from the funds raised by Yanda University. He played with children in China since childhood, spoke Hangzhou dialect, liked the scenery in China and had deep feelings for China. He firmly believes that "China people are equally excellent". From 65438 to 0929, the monthly salary of Professor Wu Wenzao, who came back from Columbia University as a doctor, was as much as that of the principal and 20 times that of ordinary workers. Encouraged by high salaries, outstanding people in various fields naturally devote themselves to research. By 1930s, Yanda University had established 1 institute, 3 institutes, 4 colleges and 19 departments, and was recognized as one of the best liberal arts colleges.
3/ General education-unique curriculum and student management
Compulsory Bible courses and compulsory attendance at religious ceremonies seem to be the norm in every religious school, and Yanda University before 1920 was no exception. However, compulsory ceremonies can't resist students' growing boredom with Christianity and their rebellious hearts.
Finally, religious forms are gradually fading in the education of Yanda University, and Christian belief depends entirely on students' wishes. Thirdly, Si Tuleideng, who returned to China, was young and energetic, thinking that preaching to his parents would only be mediocre and turned to missionary work in secular activities. Without those rules and regulations, Christianity has penetrated into students' gestures and affected their lives. From 65438 to 0925, the theological seminary of Yanda University was simply transformed into a religious school, and some distinctive courses were offered according to the characteristics of China society, such as "History of Christianity in China" and "Christianity and Social Problems in China", which narrowed the distance between Christianity and students.
Yanda University has never been a hidebound school. The curriculum, which was originally divided into four groups: language and literature, social science, natural science and vocational education, has been revised many times. The needs of the times have changed, and the curriculum of Yanda University is also rapidly adjusted. The Department of Journalism and the Department of Sociology are the first in the history of China. In order to adapt to the tide of industrial development, Yanda immediately opened the animal husbandry major, and at the same time, a large number of industry-related courses such as agronomy, animal husbandry and poultry raising entered the students' field of vision. By 1923, new courses such as parenting and nutrition have been added to the curriculum planning of Yanda University. Yenching university's curriculum seems to be improving and adjusting all the time, so there is no need to worry about it falling behind.
1935, in order to support the anti-Japanese patriotic movement, the student self-government association went to Nanjing to petition and asked to participate in the national anti-Japanese patriotic movement. Si Tuleideng, who raised money in the United States, was called back to school by phone. He went to China by boat. As soon as the ship docked, Si Tuleideng asked the person who picked him up: "Did our student representatives participate this time?" "Go"
"If they don't go, it proves that our education is a failure." Soon after, Si Tuleideng said at the conference that the purpose was to adapt to the times and cultivate talents for the society.
However, despite the ever-changing curriculum, natural science courses and English have never changed, and they have always been the first consideration. Needless to say, English teaching in missionary schools has become very easy to encourage English teaching in daily teaching and even for graduates to study abroad. The teaching of natural science is also the characteristic of Yanda University, not only because of the perfect laboratory and various instruments and equipment for teaching, but also because each student is required to operate experiments and write reports by himself. The teacher-student ratio of 1: 3, which has been criticized by the society as "aristocratic" and "inefficient", also shows its unique advantages. From then on, it is doomed that natural science is no longer a boring mathematical formula and rote-learning theorem in Yanda University, but a self-made achievement, and countless incomprehensible truths are completely presented in repeated operations. The achievements of practical teaching are also obvious, as evidenced by the fact that Yanda University's natural science research has always been in the leading position in various missionary universities.
? During their years in Yan University, students have chosen a wide range of courses independently. Even later, religious courses became elective courses, and graduation and performance evaluation were linked to credits for the first time.
? Performance evaluation is strictly divided into six grades: 2 points (excellent); 1.5 (good); 1 (middle); 0.5 points (pass); 0 points (failed, but can make up the exam); -0.5 points (failing, no make-up). Yenching university stipulates that "undergraduates can't graduate until they have completed 148 credits and scored above 148", and the average score of graduates in each course should be at least above average, and the students who can graduate will not be bad.
? 4/ Yanjing Spirit-Because of the truth, you can provide free service.
? "As far as my personal mood is concerned, my friendship with thousands of Yanjing alumni has made me feel unspeakable happiness. A beautiful tradition in China's life is the harmonious relationship between teachers and students. "
Getting along and discussing problems with each other have long made the relationship between professors and students extremely harmonious. Even when I'm making friends for the New Year, I get together at the professor's house.
? Few people know that only a few people attended the inauguration ceremony of Si Tuleideng as the first president. It is because Yanjing students were very active in protesting Article 21 that a large number of them were arrested. On June 8th, Si Tuleideng's inaugural speech happened to be the day they delivered it. Except the graduates, the students went to welcome these heroes back. The new headmaster who was exposed to the sun was very calm. Later, he met these students: "Considering their historical background and the chaotic situation of the national economy and people's livelihood at that time, on the whole, they braved the wind and waves, and their tenacious character and spirit far exceeded my foresight."
? The "new headmaster" once said that the students who are marching against the wind and waves have fully proved the excellent quality of China youth, the vitality and spiritual strength of the Chinese nation, and the future education will bring the spiritual strength to the extreme.
"Yanda implements enlightenment education, which is the most authentic practice of letting a hundred schools of thought contend and letting a hundred flowers blossom." An alumnus of Yanda University commented.
Si Tuleideng himself is a missionary, and there is a seminary in yenching university, which does not prevent students of biology department from discussing the issues of evolution and atheism.
Bing Xin's article "love and mercy" once mentioned: "When Si Tuleideng was the principal, he could name everyone in the school. These people rang the bell, swept the floor and were in charge of school affairs." Bing Xin's deep feelings for Yan Da are still fresh in her daughter's memory of dancing lightly.
Starting from the goal of establishing "the most useful school" and the purpose of "freedom because of truth and service", we are determined to forge ahead, seek truth, serve our peers and serve our country ... Adjacent to Boyata, by the unnamed lake, Yanjing spirit has influenced teachers and students of Yanda University from generation to generation.
Qian Mu hasn't been teaching at Yanda University for a long time, but he already feels "different" from the primary and secondary schools he taught before. Hongye's favorite students, Zhou Yiliang and Hou Renzhi, were thinking of Yanda University in their later years, and they did not lose their affection.
"From the moment I shook hands with Si Tuleideng, I felt that I was tied to the word yenching university." Professor Zhang Shuzhi was only 18 years old when she first entered yenching university. The charm of this school deeply attracted her.
? The edification of traditional culture and western culture blends here without any conflict. The unremitting pursuit of truth has already penetrated into the blood of teachers and students of Yan University. The modern management mode under the principal responsibility system, the administrative work of colleges and universities, even the teaching assistants and logistics teams are deeply influenced by Yanjing spirit, and the professionalism of faculty and staff is brought into full play. In order to study the history of Yuan Shao, Hongye collected ten years of books, manuscripts, poems and paintings, reviewed and copied them in his spare time, and made arduous field trips. He often walked between rockeries, ponds and pine trees, looking for water along waterways, making patterns with paper and pens, recording Yuan Shao's scenery before construction, and finally writing a book, A Record of Yuan Shao.
? When the scholar Chen Yuan's yenching university 19 19- 1956 was published, the former alumni of Yanda University got together again. Under the influence of the campus culture of "democracy, freedom, equality and fraternity", they have become leaders in various fields and have enriched their knowledge. Many years later, the pillars of these countries, including Chen Yuan, cannot forget the academic atmosphere and happy memories of Yanda University.
? In the adjustment of departments from 65438 to 0952, yenching university was abolished, but it became a monument in history.
? "Male zai, zhuang zai yenching university, beautiful zai, worship zai;
Rich in humanities, rich at home and abroad, renowned all over the world.
Mentor and friend, sharp as a mill, emotional as one;
Enthusiasm, seeking truth and living freely.
Yanjing and Yanjing have a broad career and a larger scale;
Talented people come forth in large numbers, serve the same group and serve the country faithfully. "
-yenching university school song