Newsletter No. 61

C U H K NEWSLETTER New Head of Chung Chi College 'I've been running back and forth since becoming head of Chung Chi College,' Prof. Rance Lee smilingly described his first few months in his new job. Familiarizing h i ms e lf w i t h college business and at the same time tackling heavy duties as dean of social science, Prof. Lee complained that he had not been able to finalize a single research paper since assuming the Head's office in August. He is, however, grateful to colleagues at the College Office and Dr. Leung Kwok, his associate dean, w i t h o ut whose assistance he would find the dual appointment rather difficult to cope. Thirty Years Ago as an Undergraduate But then, heavy as the wo r k is, Prof. Lee is not complaining, for Chung Chi is home. He was an undergraduate at Chung Chi, and after taking his degree in 1965 he was nominated by his department chairman for a scholarship which enabled him to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. As the first Chung Chi graduate to w i n that coveted grant, the young Rance Lee was determined to do well at Pittsburgh so as to ensure that the same scholarship would be open to Chung Chi graduates in subsequent years. After obtaining his doctorate he chose to return and serve the alma mater, despite offers from a substantial number of American universities. Reminiscing about his undergraduate days, Prof. Lee is still fascinated by the time when there were only a few hundred academics and students in the college. Nestled in its beautiful valley site, the college community was close and friendly. Students who graduated at the time maintain their friendship to this day, despite the fact that many are no longer living in Hong Kong. Prof. Lee is particularly moved by the concern of many of his contemporaries for the college's development. Career and Marriage Prof. Lee also has Chung Chi to thank for his marriage. 'At that time I had just come back from the United States and started my teaching career. One day I was attending a career guidance session for final-year students organized by Prof. Lee says he misses this footpath where men students used to take when walking their female counterparts back to their dormitories after the library closes at night. NO.61 DECEMBER 1994 7