2018 Hopkins-Nanjing Center Commencement

On June 15, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center held its thirty-second commencement ceremony to celebrate the hard work of the certificate and master's students. Congratulations to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center class of 2018!

The ceremony started off with opening remarks by Chinese Co-Director Chen Yunsong. He thanked the students for a great year and wished them luck for the future.

Co-Director Chen Yunsong

Sean Stein, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, gave a commencement address congratulating students on graduating from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. He stressed that the world needs more people like Hopkins-Nanjing Center graduates. Having more people who understand both the cultures of the United States and of China is the key to good international relations between our two countries. He ended his speech encouraging international students to stay up-to-date on their China knowledge after graduation, as it is a rapidly changing country.

Consul General Sean Stein delivering commencement address

Following Consul General Stein, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, Vice President of the China-U.S. People’s Friendship Association and Former Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United States, gave a commencement address about China-U.S. relations from a Chinese perspective.

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong delivering commencement address

Yang Zhong, Nanjing University’s Senior Vice Chancellor, delivered congratulatory remarks to the students. He noted the great achievements of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center over the past thirty-two years and reemphasized the pioneering value of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center to Sino-US relations. He stressed the value of continuing “to help the American people understand the real China, and to help Chinese people understand the real America.”

Yang Zhong delivering congratulatory remarks

Lu Jing, a Chinese master’s student, and Zoe Merewether, an American master’s student, delivered remarks in their target language to their peers. These speeches were well received and enjoyed by students, as they highlighted some of the most memorable moments from their two years at the Center (see full transcripts of the speeches below).

Co-Director Davies delivering closing remarks

Finally, American Co-Director David Davies delivered closing remarks about the uniqueness of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and the important educational work that we do here every year. He highlighted the importance of the connections that are made at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, encouraging students to value their classmates and keep in touch.

The co-directors and the commencement speakers then walked up on stage to give out the certificates and diplomas to the graduates.

Transcripts of Student Speeches

Zoe Merewether’s speech:

“大家好。首先，我想给大家讲一段简短的历史课。哈尔德布朗博士在1977年至1981年卡特总统任期内担任美国的国防部长，1980年1月成为第一个正式访问中国的美国国防部部长。当时世界局势复杂多变，不但有苏联和美国之间的冷战，还有苏联侵略阿富汗、中国和美国在越南的干预以及台湾问题等。以进一步推动中美之间的合作为目标，那次访问标志着两国军事机构开始建立正式关系。不容否认，布朗博士对改善中美关系的奉献至关重要，但是肯定不能说这些问题是以果断和特久的方式解决的。对于我们许多人来说，布朗博士所面临的界定问题类似于我们当今所面临的问题，比如各个领域的冲突、俄罗斯与美国的关系、叙利亚内战等。我们都应该问自己，为了解决这些问题我如何为中国、美国乃至全世界的和平与繁荣作出贡献呢？

Zoe Merewether delivering her speech

作为布朗博士的孙女，我一直感觉要不能辜负他的期望。他21岁就从哥伦比亚大学获得物理学博士学位。我现在已经23岁，尽管我今天获得硕士学位，但是听起来并不令人印象那么的深刻 。当然，中美中心的学习方向都很值得学习，并且给学生带来不同的挑战。我的外公在1979年伊朗人质危机发生时也在任职。我很赞扬所有选择国际政治方向的同学，但是一点都不羡慕你们。我也不羡慕学习国际环境方向的学生，尤其是特朗普总统上台了以后。国际法律方向的学生，我知道你们很勇敢，因为要选择Mushkat教授的课。而我个人走了最轻松的路，选择了国际经济方向，因为每个人都懂钱的语言。我们的证书班学生，选择不用写论文，说明你们是我们所有学生中最聪明的。我相信我们许多人将会在商业、政府、非政府组织等各个领域取得成功，而且我认为我们许多人会过着国际生活。再问一次刚才的问题，在我生命中我该如何作出贡献？
   
莫荷莉同学说我们毕业演说的候选人要讲一个乐观的话题。尽管听起来我很悲观，但是实际上我十分乐观，因为我认识了你们所有人。我们这个时代最聪明，最勤奋，最具前瞻性的学生选择在中美中心至少学习一年。即使以后你不记得今天我的历史课，但请记住这一点。我认为我们不但在工作和学习方面有机会作出贡献，而且每天都有几百次的小机会为你的国家留下积极的印象。我已经在中美中心待了两年，发现这里最棒的就是我们国际同学和中方同学之间的交流。这个包括我们一起上课的时间，互相帮助准备报告和考试。我们的中方老师学富五车，知识渊博，他们在课上的旁征博引给我留下了很深的影响。此外，在课外生活中，我特别珍惜为中方学生介绍西方文化地机会。作为中美中心咖啡店的老板，我向睡眠不足的学生介绍了咖啡的益处，而我们中方同学也在下午茶外卖群里让我尝试到奶茶口味的无限可能性。我也很乐意介绍我的巴西柔术教练来到中美中心举行一个体验课，让更多的美国朋友和中国朋友学到如何保护自己。这些例子也无时无刻不在提醒着我们，文化多样性丰富了我们的生活。

Students during commencement ceremony

有时我们还会遇到文化差距的冲突。无论是美国人，还是中国人，我们去国外的时候就会碰到令我们不满意的事情。可能是小烦恼，比如外国人得在中国的火车站排队拿票，或者中国人在美国用不了电子支付。也可能是大问题，比如种族主义的遗产，或者言论自由的缺少。 在这样的情况下，我们需要保持耐心，争取相互理解。这样才能共同解决我们自20世纪80年代以来所面临的问题。不管你在未来采取什么样的道路，你可以使用你生活中的小时刻来产生积极的影响。我们有充分的理由保持乐观的态度。

最后，谢谢我的同学、教授、中心的行政和工作人员。祝大家毕业快乐，祝老师工作顺利，祝在座的所有人平安幸福，顺心如意！”

Lu Jing’s speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, dear professors, fellow classmates, distinguished guests, good afternoon! I’m a second-year master student Lu Jing. It’s my great honor to stand here to deliver this speech on behalf of the graduating class of 2018. Three weeks ago, when I opened my mailbox and found the yearbook superlatives nomination form, immediately some nominees’ names flashed into my mind when I saw the words like: “most likely to talk in class”—Kenny! “Most time spent in the lounge”—Alexi! And I suddenly realized it’s time for graduation.

Lu Jing giving graduate remarks

Looking back at the past year, the HNC has given us a lot of opportunities to make new friends. Do you still remember how did you get close with your friends? Maybe it’s because you took the same course and struggled through the same paper until 3 o’clock in the morning. Maybe you always showed up in the lounge and went out to drink on Friday night. Maybe you played Mafia, LangRenSha, or sang at KTV together and found some cool guys or girls. Perhaps on the Halloween Party you found some familiar classmates in a superman costume or dressed up like a ghost. Perhaps you celebrated at the Christmas Eve Party or New Year’s Eve Party at Zifeng. At the HNC, we have a lot of shared memories. This year, thanks to banwei, we went to see the plum blossoms and Jiming Temple to feel the spring in Nanjing. Thanks to Robbie, Asia Trek and Beijing Trek have opened the door to a new world for us. Thanks to Professor Christoffersen, field trips to Yunnan and Heilongjiang were great opportunities for us to know about the borders. Thanks to the co-directors, banwei, Eli, and Caroline, at our annual barbecue party, the beef hamburgers and hotdogs were really delicious. Of course, I will never forget the brilliant HNC band with your great songs played at every HNC party. I will never forget the excellent HNC basketball team winning many games in Nanda and winning screams from us. Most importantly, I will never forget you—HNC--and you—every member in the HNC family. We have weaved colorful memories and cherished our friends deeply in our hearts.

The HNC is a magic place full of diversity and possibilities. Here at the HNC, regardless of our backgrounds and nationalities, we sit together and discuss international issues from the US-China trade war to North Korea nuclear crisis, from China’s One Belt One Road to TPP. Here at the HNC, regardless of our majors or jobs, we sit together and take courses in different areas, listening to Professor PAT’s  [Paul Armstrong Taylor] comparative economics with his fast speech and resonant laughter, Professor Joe [Renouard]’s American culture with his frequent jokes and frequent short papers, Professor Cai Jiahe’s Chinese Foreign Policy with his gentle smile on his face and lively discussion classes, and fascinated by Professor Webb’s knowledge and getting crazy with his assignments. The HNC is by no means an easy place. Many of us have felt the pressure when three papers’ deadlines coming together; and many of us have experienced the frustration when failing at internship and job interviews. But today when recollecting the past year full of sweetness and bitterness, we definitely appreciate the HNC and the hardships we experienced here. It is the HNC that shapes us with broader and keener insight and perception towards the world around us and the world we are going to explore. It teaches us nothing is impossible as long as we start from now. It gives us the willingness and curiosity to brainstorm, to exchange and understand different cultures, and to respect and appreciate diversity. As the British philosopher Bertrand Russell said: “Diversity is essential to happiness”. This attitude and mindset towards controversies, the kindness to accept differences, the perseverance and courage towards pressure, and the friendship tightening everyone together are the best gifts the HNC has presented to us.

Today, we graduate and will say goodbye to our friends. Today, after we get out of this building, we will finish our journey of the HNC. We will miss a library with comfortable environment, a cozy dormitory, a yard with sunshine, a pond with fish, a cafeteria with laughter, a gym with muscles, and a lounge with coffee and movies. We will miss a place called the HNC. We will start our next journey of life, and the HNC will be like a lighthouse -lighting up the road for us to the future. Many years later, we will still remember, that year 2017, we met each other, and the new story has begun. Thank you my dear professors and classmates! Thank you HNC! My best wishes for all of you! Wish you a bright future, love what you do, and do what you love. Thank you very much!”

Students during commencement ceremony

2017 HNC Commencement

On June 9, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center held its thirty-first commencement to celebrate the hard work of the certificate and MAIS students. Congratulations to the HNC class of 2017!

This year the HNC was proud to host three alumni from the graduating class of 1995: Qi Kezhan, Josh Perlman, and Helen Yang. Graduates, professors, staff and assembled friends and family clearly enjoyed the sincere and meaningful stories that the speakers shared of their life at the HNC and how connections made at the HNC transformed their lives and careers.

Chinese Co-Director He Chengzhou

 The ceremony kicked off with opening remarks by Chinese Co-Director, He Chengzhou. He thanked the students for a great year and wished them luck for the future. Chinese Co-Director He and American Co-Director Davies then recognized the Class Committees from the fall and spring semesters for their hard work.

Josh Perlman delivering commencement address

Josh Perlman (HNC ’95), Managing Director at Branded Retail Tristate Holdings Limited, gave a commencement address reminding graduates of the many doors that have now been opened for them as new members of the HNC Alumni network. He also addressed the current global political climate and took the opportunity to discuss the importance of globalization, and how HNC graduates can use their unique education and deeper understanding of Sino-U.S. relations to create opportunities for growth and lead a world that is more “tolerant, peaceful, and prosperous.” Of course, Mr. Perlman also shared some anecdotes about life during his time as a student at the HNC where he met his wife, Yan Yunqing (HNC ’95)—his next-door neighbor on the third floor of the HNC residence hall.

Qi Kezhan delivering commencement address

Following Mr. Perlman, Qi Kezhan (HNC ’95), Chairman and CEO of Beijing Mountain Capital Group and Merger China Group gave a commencement address reflecting on his time at the HNC and urged students to seize opportunities that present themselves. He said that his time at the HNC changed his life, and the HNC is a place for broadening global points of view and eliminating discrimination. Not only did his time here enable him to learn and understand different cultures more deeply, but also to better understand the world and make him appreciate China even more.

Yang Zhong delivering congratulatory remarks

Yang Zhong, Nanjing University’s Senior Vice Chancellor, delivered congratulatory remarks to the students. He noted the great achievements of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center over the past thirty-one years, and reemphasized the pioneering value of the HNC to Sino-US relations. He stressed the value for the HNC to continue “to help the American people understand the real China, and to help Chinese people understand the real America.”


Lyu Xiaoyu, a Chinese MAIS student, and Joaquin Matek, an American MAIS student, delivered remarks in their target language to their peers. These speeches were well received and enjoyed by students, as they highlighted some of the most memorable moments from this past year at the HNC.

Below is a transcript of Lyu Xiaoyu’s speech:

“Fellow classmates, professors, distinguished guests, good afternoon! I’m Xiaoyu, a graduating master’s student. I feel deeply honored to deliver this speech on behalf of the graduating class of 2017. I also feel honored yet bemused about the fact that I am speaking in front of my family in a language they don’t even understand. Does that mean I can say whatever I want?

In the past year, many of us have developed deep friendships. However, today is the day for us to bid farewell to people who will always have a place in our hearts. I always find it fascinating to recall the first time I met someone when the time comes to say goodbye. Do you still remember what your friends were like when you first met them in September 2016? What brought you together? Maybe it was a group presentation or that first assignment in your target language; maybe you were roommates getting used to each other’s quirks. Perhaps you connected at the Halloween party when every one was at their spookiest, or the New Year’s Eve Celebration at Zifeng tower where the guys were dressed like Wall Street elites and the ladies like Oscar nominees. I know I won’t forget the BBQ. Eli, Jake, and Carlos were super hot that day grilling food for us under the sun. I will definitely endorse you guys on LinkedIn as grill masters. In addition, we had some great teams representing the HNC: a basketball team that had the ladies screaming, a dragon boat team that would make Admiral Zheng He proud, and of course our laladui, aka cheer squad champs. You guys did an awesome job creating connections between every HNCer.

Lyu Xiaoyu giving her speech

 The HNC is also a place for us to develop a keener perception of what is going on in the world. In the span
of two semesters, we have experienced an upheaval in global affairs: a dramatic transition in the White House, a failed gambit by the Italian prime minister, an impeachment in South Korea straight out of a Korean drama, and a dark horse victory in France. Every time we rack our brains to write a paper on these issues, we are not simply finishing a task for a grade. Instead, during the writing process, we think deeply about these problems, gradually sharpening our perception of the world. Such a mindset is of great significance, because as Francis Bacon once said: “Studies pass into and influence manners.” What we have learned and experienced at the HNC will be internalized into our value systems and personalities.

Today is the day to say goodbye. No more of Margie’s singing or Taylor’s dancing, no more boxing classes with Corey or Korean lessons with Tim. No more of Professor PAT’s contagious laugh, or Professor Joe’s endless weekly posts. Each of us is both driver and passenger on the bus of life. For the past year, we pulled over at a stop called the HNC and invited other passengers to get on our bus. Now is the time for those passengers to get off and continue driving their own buses. However, this isn’t the only bus stop in the journey of life. We will definitely keep in touch, and maybe even catch a ride on each other’s buses again. That is why this ceremony is called a “commencement”, since it is not just an ending, but also the beginning of something new. Thank you!”

This was followed by Joaquin Matek’s speech:

Joaquin Matek giving his speech

“尊敬的各位来宾、老师，亲爱的同学们：

大家好！我叫江泰宏，是今年硕士班的毕业生。
我觉得在中美中心念书是一种缘分。起初，我来中心的目的就是接受教育，但是当我回顾自己在中心的经历，我发现最珍贵的记忆不是我上过的课，读过的书或是学到的知识，而是，我在这里所遇到的人。

中心有很多我认为可以称之为君子的人。何谓君子？君子德才兼备，不分男女，不分种族，不分上下，也不分国籍。作为君子不在于你父母做了什么，而在于你做了什么，你要做什么。

中心的师生来自世界各地，因此，中心汇聚了不同的人生观，世界观，和价值观。价值观的不同未必会导致冲突，反而是促进我们真诚交流并且加深了解的绝佳机会。君子和而不同，我们不需要也不可能认同对方所有的意见，但我们应当下功夫去理解对方的立场。

在有些事情上，我们比较容易达成共识。比如说，我们都认为最好不要把崭新的白衬衫放进第一台洗衣机。然而，在其他一些事情上，我们未必会同意对方的看法。比如说，人生的意义究竟是什么，哪个政党值得支持，Bob Dylan的哪首歌最好听？每个人的想法都不一样，
不过，社会的精髓就在于多元化。如果人人思维一致，我们就会缺乏创造力，更谈不上和谐。

我不知道“放之四海而皆准”的价值观是否存在，但我个人认为，即使孔子所提倡的“忠恕”不是普适价值，那么至少它非常接近。不管我们认为做人的标准是什么，我们都该尽心为人；无论我们之间存在多大的差异，我们都该推己及人。我很感激有机会认识你们，向你们学习如何做人、做事。

同学们，我们即将各奔前程，开始人生的新一阶段。离别虽然有些感伤，但我们终将后会有期。毕竟我们的世界越来越小，我不知道我们会在哪里碰见，但我相信一定会的。

有一件事你们应该已经知道了，但我不妨再次提醒一下，那就是，你们都是美女帅哥！不仅如此，你们真的都有“两把刷子”，只要刻苦努力，一定能大有作为。千万别辜负了自己的潜力，要把它充分发挥出来，让这个世界更好一点。勿以善小而不为，要相信滴水成河、百川归海。你们都有自己的梦想，我祝愿你们坚持做君子，自强不息地为梦想而奋斗。  谢谢大家!”

Co-Director Davies delivering closing remarks

Finally, American Co-Director David Davies delivered closing remarks about the uniqueness of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and the important educational work that we do here every year. The Co-Directors and the commencement speakers then walked up on stage and began to give out the certificates and diplomas.

Hopkins-Nanjing Center 2016 Commencement

The Hopkins-Nanjing Center's 30th Anniversary Celebration kicked off on June 17 with commencement at the HNC. Congratulations to to the class of 2016!

The commencement ceremony featured keynote remarks by Lisa Heller, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and Zhou Wei, Deputy Director-General at the Jiangsu Province Foreign Affairs Office. President of Nanjing University, Chen Jun and President of Johns Hopkins University, Ronald J. Daniels also made remarks to the class of 2016.

2016 MAIS graduates

Emily Shea, International Student Representative

International student and MAIS graduate, Emily Shea, and Chinese student, Caixiao Chen were selected as student representatives. In the spirit of the HNC's bilingual community, student representatives delivered their addresses in their target languages.  Below is the full transcript of Emily's speech.

尊敬的各位来宾、老师，亲爱的同学们，

大家好! 我叫沈琳，我是今年二年级硕士班的毕业生。

今天，我很荣幸能够代表2016届毕业生向培养我们的中美中心表示最诚挚的感谢!

这次的毕业典礼意义非凡，因为今年恰好是中美中心成立30周年。我很高兴能够在中心“三十而立”的时候为中心献上一份祝福，也很高兴与大家一起见证中心在经过三十年的努力和奋斗之后，达到了一个新的高度，即，在一个多元文化环境下，教育和培养来自中国、美国和其他国家的研究生，并对中美关系的发展和东西方之间的文化交流与传承产生深远的影响。

在此，我谨代表2016届全体毕业生，感谢中美中心对我们的教育和培养，感谢各位领导和老师对我们的关爱和教诲，感谢家人对我们的支持和鼓励，感谢身边朋友给我们带来的快乐和帮助。

每当回想起我们这一年来的丰富多彩的活动，我就为自己能成为2016届毕业生的一份子而感到无比幸运。

Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels presenting graduation certificates 

你们具有很强学习能力和逻辑思维能力, 你们会用多种语言讨论你们所关心的话题;

你们不惧任何挑战，不断勇往直前；

最重要的是，你们懂得如何去充分享受生活，是你们，让中美中心充满了美好的回忆和快乐的时光。

Nanjing University President Chen Jun presenting graduate certificates

我相信，像这样一群优秀的毕业生，一定会给我们这个世界带来积极的影响。

同学们，我们都是富有才华、潜力无限的人。中心赋予我们最宝贵的财富之一就是，她将我们紧紧地聚在了一起，让我们之间情谊的纽带得以建立。无论是对世界各国的和平发展，还是对我们个人未来的幸福生活而言，这种纽带都弥足珍贵。 

Emily Shea with her fellow MAIS graduates

也许在今天毕业之后，我们就要各奔东西。我希望大家不要因为今日的离别而感到悲伤。因为今天，我们只是和我们中心的学习生活告别，而不是和各位同窗的永别。就我个人来说，我对未来充满了期待。因为我一直在想，我们未来会在什么时候，会在哪里重逢？是在上海，还是在华盛顿？或者是在巴黎，一边喝咖啡一边回忆往事？或者是在东京，一边喝红酒一边谈论我们各自的事业和家庭？国际关系专业的学生拥有的一定是国际性的友谊！我坚信，当中美中心庆祝成立60周年的时候，我们仍然会发现，我们的跨国友谊和彼此的国际职业生涯，都仍在传承中心的精神，并将这种精神发扬光大。
 
Photos courtesy of Carl McLarty