SCU Alumnus Dominic Lu Shows Music Talent besides Medical Expertise

Over 400 participants savored a night of music at Soochow’s Song-Yi Hall, Waishuanghsi Campus on September 4, 2018. Teachers and students from SCU’s Department of Music performed works composed by Dr. Dominic P. Lu (盧博一), an alumnus of English Department (Class of 1963), who demonstrated his music talent other than his skills in medicine.

Lu’s music played in the concert integrated various elements including traditional Taiwanese folk songs, aboriginal ballad, American country music, Rock music and European classical music, which just well represented his life as he explored different possibilities and subject fields. Lu also played in person one of his songs, which talks about his college days from the freshman year to romance to graduation in Soochow University. It was well received by the audience, who gave Lu loud and long applause.

Lu had been studying in the U.S. after graduating from SCU in 1963. In 1971, he obtained a doctorate from Indiana University School of Dentistry, specializing in Oral Medicine. Since 1981, Lu has been elected an academician of Fellowship of the Royal Society, England and the first Asian Chairman of American Society for the Advancement of Anesthesia and Sedation in Dentistry. He is currently a clinical professor of University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, the president of PA Lehigh Valley Chinese School, and the academician of three international medical colleges.

During his college years in Soochow as an English major and an inquisitive student, Lu was introduced to masters of Acupuncture and I Ching as a disciple by the then-chair of Chinese Dept. Building on a solid foundation in the fields of foreign language, Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese culture, he expanded his research into both Chinese and Western medicine while applying both traditional and non-traditional medical science. He also had a number of books and inventions which are highly valued by the American Medical Association. More surprisingly, Lu often composes music in his spare time and has created pieces of work for piano or orchestra, setting a wonderful example of an interdisciplinary talent for Soochow students.

SCU President Wei-Ta Pan brought up in his opening remarks what he had learned from the conversation with Lu: “Always be curious and never set limits on yourselves.” He believed this was the ticket for Lu to be such a versatile person. Lu also shared with students some of his words of wisdom, such as “English is a passport to the world,” and “Change your mood when facing difficulties, and maybe another door will open.”

As Soochow has strived to cultivate cross-field talents, Lu could serve as a best role model with his multi-faceted knowledge and skills in literature, medical science, and art, which may well inspire students to pursue more possibilities in their life and to infinity and beyond!