Retiring Prof. Ai-Hua Lin Thanked at 45th Anniversary of German Dept.

On May 5^th, 2018, Soochow’s Department of German Language and Culture expressed its gratitude to the contribution of Associate Professor Ai-Hua Lin, who was about to retire at the end of this semester, while celebrating its 45^th anniversary at Dr. Hui-Lan Qi-Ma Hall of German Culture Classroom. More than 40 members of faculty, staff and alumni of the German Department and the School of Foreign Languages attended the celebration, including Prof. Mao-Sung Lin (the Dean of the School of Foreign Languages), Prof. Shu-Chuan Chen, and Prof. Jiin-Chiueh Lai (both from the Department of Japanese Language and Culture).

During her 45 years’ service at the Department of German Language and Culture, Prof.  Ai-Hua Lin had been a full-time teacher for more than 43 years. She not only served as the Dean for several times but also headed the Language Center and the German Courses at the School of Extension Education, with 15 years of experience in administrative work. In 1995, on behalf of Soochow, she established an exchange program with the Language Teaching Center of the University of Münster for Soochow’s students to engage in advanced studies in Germany, which has become a long tradition of the Department and a highlight for recruiting new students.

Out of her great care for students and alumni, Lin founded the “Mr. Bin Lin’s Financial Aid for Students” in the name of her father, as well as the “Care Fund for the Alumni of the Department of German Language and Culture” and the “Ms. Ai-Hua Lin’s Financial Aid for Students,” all of which have raised funds for students with financial needs so that they could complete their education with less worries. In terms of research, Lin has been engaged in the research and publication of German fairy tales for a long time. She has not only been recognized in the academia but also expanded her contribution to the society, and published books that analyze fairy tales.

At the appreciation party, Prof. Mao-Sung Lin presented a gift on behalf of the School and thanked Lin for being warm-hearted and cordial to all her colleagues and always contributing to the German Department. Prof. Jiin-Chiueh Lai also presented bouquets on behalf of the Japanese Department, and shared her experience of being regularly supported and advised by Lin during Lai’s  terms as the Director of Language Center and the Dean of the School of Foreign Languages. Prof. Shu-Chuan Chen of the Japanese Department said that where there is Lin, there is always laughter and warmth. Ms. Wan-Lin Zhuang, the Director of the Alumni Service and Resource Development Center, also an alumna of the German Department paid tribute and extended blessing to Lin on behalf of the Office of Social Resource and the University. Moreover, the School has specially collected video recordings of Lin over the years to make a video. Prof. Ching-Shih Huang, Chair of the German Department, compiled photos of Lin into an album and presented it to Lin with a porcelain vase as retirement gifts, wishing Lin a pleasant and comfortable retired life.

Lin thanked everyone for coming and said she felt truly blessed and touched. She quoted a senior professor’s words in a retirement tea party as saying: “It shouldn’t have been you that show gratitude to me. Instead, I should be the thankful one because I have received far more than I gave to you and Soochow.” So, Lin continued, “at this appreciation party, I’d like to be grateful to everyone, and I'm going to pass the responsibility on to the young now!" Toward the end of the celebration, everyone sang the German song “Ich singe ein Lied für dich (I sing a song for you)” together as a warm ending.

In celebrating its 45^th anniversary, the German Department also granted a special certificate of appreciation to several alumni who have been paying long-term support to the Department, including Mr. Jian-Yuan Chen and Ms. Ying-Sen Lai, Mr. Shou-Feng Yeh and Ms. Mei-Juan Liu, as well as Ms. You-Min Zhang.

Brief History of the Department German Language and Culture

Department of German Language and Culture was founded in 1973, originally as the German Language Group, under the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. In 1975, it was approved as the Department of German Language and Literature, and has been affiliated to the School of Foreign Languages and Cultures since 1984. Since August 1^st, 1997, it has been renamed the Department of German Language and Culture. In 1991, its master's degree program was established, and enrollment began in the academic year of 1993-94.