TIMELINE:

September 2007: Saint Vincent College welcomes Dr. Zhang Yuan, a visiting Chinese professor from Wuhan University. Through a three-year cooperative program with the University of Pittsburgh’s new Confucius Institute, Dr. Yuan will serve as a professor of Chinese at Saint Vincent and a resource for K-12 social studies and language curriculum in the Greater Latrobe School District. The Confucius Institute is funded by Hanban, China’s National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.

September 2007: Saint Vincent College dedicates classroom in newly renovated Headmasters Hall as The James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center.

May 2007: Dr. Tina Phillips Johnson directs three-week China studies tour for students and faculty of Saint Vincent College and University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Highlight of the trip included a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and presentation by Daniel Piccuta C’77, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission.

April 2007: Saint Vincent College hosts fifth annual James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center conference titled, “China’s Diversity and Shaoshu Minzu: China’s Minorities Nationalities.”

January 2007: Representatives from the Chinese Embassy visit Saint Vincent College and present collection of books relating to the heritage, customs, and language of the Chinese people to The James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center.

Fall 2006: China Studies Club, moderated by Dr. Tina Phillips Johnson, founded at Saint Vincent College.

November 2006: Kevin Clancy, associate of the Maryknoll China Service Project, meets with Saint Vincent College students, faculty, and administration regarding Maryknoll’s program involving teaching English in China.

September 2006: Dr. Tina Phillips Johnson, Assistant Professor of History at Saint Vincent College, appointed to serve as Director of the college’s China Studies Program.

Summer 2006: Four Saint Vincent College students travel to China. Two students teach English to Chinese middle school students through the Maryknoll China Service Project; two students explore China and study language.

September 2006: Saint Vincent College hosts fourth annual James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center conference titled, “Chinese Arts Day.” November 2005: ASIA Network consultant, Dr. Stanley Michel (Wittenberg University) visits Saint Vincent College to discuss fundraising and curriculum with members of the administration and faculty.

October 2005: Fr. Scott Harris, Director of Maryknoll China Service Project, meets with Saint Vincent College students, faculty, and administration regarding Maryknoll’s program involving teaching English in China.

September 2005: ASIA Network consultant, Dr. Richard Bohr (Director of Asian Studies at Saint John’s University) visits Saint Vincent College to discuss study abroad programs, study tours, and teaching of the Chinese language with members of the administration and faculty.

November 2004: Saint Vincent College hosts third annual James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center conference titled, “Chinese Traditional Medicine.”

August 2004: Saint Vincent College becomes one of only 17 colleges, universities, and cultural institutions in 12 states to receive National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant. The $500,000 grant will help to support the establishment of a Professorship in Chinese language.

Summer 2004: Saint Vincent College professor Dr. Daniel Mertens teaches business course at Fu Jen Catholic University.

April 2003: Saint Vincent College hosts second annual James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center conference titled, “China Philosophy: Past, Present & Future.”

September 2003: Agreement made with Fu Jen Catholic University to accept Saint Vincent College students for advanced studies in Chinese.

Fall 2003: Saint Vincent College begins offering courses in Chinese.

November 2002: Saint Vincent College hosts first annual James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center conference titled, “Bridging the East and West.”

Fall 2002: Mo Wenchuan, Vice Governor of the Shangdong Province and member of the China’s Peoples National Congress, teaches international affairs class at Saint Vincent College.

September 2001: The James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center is established at Saint Vincent College.