On May 24, Sias held the 22nd Homecoming Day event. The campus was ablaze with color and vibrancy, featuring a rich array of academic exchanges, cultural exhibitions, and alumni interactions that comprehensively showcased Sias's international educational characteristics and achievements in nurturing talent, attracting participation from alumni, parents, faculty, students, and individuals from various sectors of society both at home and abroad.
In the morning, a grand flower parade themed "AI in All and AI for All" marked the opening of this year's Homecoming Day. Over a dozen themed floats commenced their journey from the west side of No.19 Classroom Building and paraded along the campus's main thoroughfares. The float designs seamlessly integrated Eastern and Western elements, blending presentations of traditional intangible cultural heritage with creative expressions of cutting-edge technology. As the floats slowly progressed, they uniquely displayed the cultures of Sias professional schools and residential colleges, highlighting Sias's achievements in digital campus construction and its outcomes in aesthetic and labor education.
Subsequently, the 25th Anniversary High-Quality Development Promotion Conference on Joint Education Program between Sias University and Fort Hays State University & The 22nd Homecoming Day Celebration was held at Instruction Opera House Theater. Distinguished guests from various countries gathered, including officials from Kansas State Legislature, Fort Hays State University (FHSU), the US Consulate General in Wuhan, Henan Provincial Government Foreign Affairs Office, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Exchange Board, Sias Foundation, Henan Provincial Education Department's International Cooperation and Exchange Division, American Southwest Behavioral Health Center, Orkhon Kasu School (Mongolia), East China Normal University, and Zhengzhou University, Sport College. Also present were heads of international offices and international education colleges from 31 Henan universities, representatives from the 2nd Chinese Speaking Competition for International Students in Henan Province, participants from the 2025 Sias International Summer Camp representing 16 countries and regions, and athletes for the 2025 Sias Intercontinental Basketball Tournament.
During the symposium, Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University; Dr. Tisa Mason, President of Fort Hays State University; Mr. Wang Baodong, Chinese Consul General in Chicago; and Mr. Wang Huaxing, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of the Education Department of Henan Province, delivered speeches. They highly praised the cooperative achievements of the two universities over the past 25 years and expressed anticipation for continued deepened cooperation to jointly cultivate more high-quality talents. Amidst splendid performances such as "Splendid Flowers in Bloom," “Oriental Jasmine,” and "Dragon Soaring, Tiger Leaping," attendees collectively experienced the vigor and youthful charm of Sias students.
On the day of the event, a series of activities such as 2025 Sias Graduate Exhibition, the 2nd Chinese Speaking Competition for International Students in Henan Province, and the Birdman Competition were held simultaneously. In the morning, at the "Student Academic and Extracurricular Interest Exhibition" held at Italian Square, students showcased their growth and achievements in academics through technological inventions, artistic creations, and social practice outcomes, demonstrating their innovative vitality. Inside the exhibition hall on the first floor of No.19 Classroom Building, 2025 Sias Graduate Exhibition of the School of Art and Design resembled a microcosm of a diverse world, highlighting Sias's abundant achievements and vitality in art and design education. During the Homecoming Day luncheon, amidst melodious performances and the clinking of glasses, guests engaged in warm and lively conversations with students.
The afternoon's activities were equally splendid. At Sias Alumni Assembly, alumni shared their life experiences and offered suggestions for the university's development. The lakeside "Birdman Competition" and aquatic recreational games attracted the participation of numerous faculty and students, with cheers and laughter echoing throughout the venue. At the KIS 2025 FHSU Graduation Ceremony, a blend of solemn rituals and enthusiastic interactions intertwined as graduates conveyed warmth and solidarity through laughter and tears. In the final round of the 2nd Chinese Speaking Competition for International Students in Henan Province, international students fluently demonstrated their love and understanding of Chinese culture. Within the comprehensive gymnasium, the thrilling Final of 2025 Sias Intercontinental Basketball Tournament saw players inscribe their youthful chapters with sweat.
Additionally, events such as Alumni Salons, Parent Exchanges, Night Run, and Music Festival further strengthened the linkage among family, Sias, and community, fostering a heartwarming atmosphere of reunion. Participants, equipped with fluorescent gear, formed a flowing ribbon of light across the campus, drawing the 22nd Homecoming Day to a perfect close.
