Sias University held its 2019 Graduation Ceremony at its Basketball Arena on May 26. In addition to a number of Chinese and foreign guests, the Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Shawn Chen, Party Secretary, Ma Jiansheng, Sias President, Chen Sikun, Executive President, Wang Jialin, Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, and Vice President, Wu Hua, were present at the ceremony. The leaders of all the departments, academic schools, and residential colleges, as well as the graduating class of 2018/19, were also present.
After the national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played, Dr. Shawn Chen introduced the guests and delivered a speech in which he congratulated the graduates of 2019 and thanked the parents and teachers who contributed to their education. He said that he hoped that the graduates would maintain good habits through their lives, have the courage to face challenges, be masters of their own destiny, and contribute to the development of their Alma mater even after their graduation. He reminded them that life as a student at a university is short, but he believed that they would continue learning through life and achieve remarkable things.
The Vice President of Zhengzhou University, Zhang Qianhong, congratulated the students in her speech. She said that when they graduate they should be courageous, always pursue learning and new skills, and strengthen their minds and bodies. She said that this year was particularly significant as it marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. She also told the students that their teachers and educators would always provide support for their personal and professional development.
A representative of the Sias Foundation, Paul Rusnak, then delivered a speech during which he pointed out that, unlike other educational institutions, Sias University's philosophy of East-meets-West encouraged students to become innovative thinkers, grasp professional knowledge and skills, and be prepared for a challenging and changing world. The Sias Foundation, he said, would continue to assist students in their pursuit of excellence.
The President of California Baptist University, Dr. Ronald Ellis, congratulated the graduates of 2019 and congratulated Sias University for its 20th anniversary. He said that Dr. Shawn Chen (the Founder & Chairman of the Board of Sias) was an internationally recognized visionary in business and higher education management. He said that Sias was set to continue to lead with regard to international higher education and exert its growing influence. He said that California Baptist University would continue to cooperate with Sias with regard to educational programs to produce graduates who can change the world.
The President of Fort Hays State University, Dr. Tisa Mason, delivered a speech and congratulated the graduates. She spoke of her appreciation for the long-term partnership between Sias and Fort Hays State University. She encouraged the graduates to have a positive and optimistic attitude towards life, to remain humble, respect others, be patient, be kind and show empathy to those around them.
In his speech, Allen Schmidt congratulated the graduates on behalf of the Kansas Board of Regents. He shared his educational experience and encouraged the students to be the best version of themselves. He also urged them to begin their journeys after university life with confidence, and make full use of their talents and skills.
Teachers' Representative, Wu Chunjie, suggested that students should remain grateful, confident, optimistic, progressive, rational, and have the right values. She said that they should also be ambitious as their Alma mater, Sias University, would always support them in their endeavors.
Graduate Representative, Chen Mingkun, spoke about her unforgettable experiences as a student at Sias. She said that the university's East-meets-West ethos had become a part of her and had helped her mature. This, she said, was the true mark of a "Sias-er".
Following the speeches, Sias held a ceremony for the awarding of honorary doctoral degrees. The recipients of the awards were the former President of the Sias Foundation, Dr. Alan Brown, and the Founding General Partner of the Amidi Group, Rahim Amidi. The Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, presented the honorary doctoral certificates.
At the Graduates Award Ceremony, the President of Fort Hays State University (FHSU), Dr. Tisa Mason, presented the awards for the top graduates with dual FHSU-Sias degrees; Sias Vice President, Wu Hua, presented the awards for third place students; Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, presented the awards for second place students; Executive President, Wang Jialin, presented the awards for first place students; Sias President, Chen Sikun, presented the awards for students who had been admitted into graduate school; Party Secretary, Ma Jiansheng, presented the awards for the outstanding graduates; Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, presented the awards for the outstanding graduates of Henan; and Dr. Shawn Chen and Dr. Tisa Mason jointly presented the awards for students who had won scholarships for Master's Degrees in the U.S.A. The Sias Foundation Scholarship Awards were then presented to students by Paul Rusnak.
At the end of the Graduation Ceremony, the Vice President of Zhengzhou University, Zhang Qianhong, announced the graduation of the class of 2019. This was followed by a performance by theChoir from the School of Music & Opera.
Sias University had held a graduation ceremony for students with dual FHSU-Sias degrees on the previous day, the 25th of May. The Sias executive leadership, the Dean of the School of International Education, and leaders from Fort Hays State University, including the President, were present.
