CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

As summer sets in, the first graduating class, comprising students in the founding cohort and a small number admitted with advanced standing in 2013, are leaving the College to embark upon various careers or to pursue further studies. A farewell party was held on 13 May 2016 to celebrate this important milestone. This event will be remembered by teachers and students as another special moment in their journey together.

Around 60 participants, including members of the Committee of Overseers (COO), Chu Scholars, friends of CWC, College mentors, teachers and graduating students, gathered for a night marked by festivity and merriment. Prof Kenneth Young, College Master, expressed his gratitude to all benefactors who have supported the College throughout the years. Addressing the graduates, he recalled the first Orientation Camp and the first communal dinner four years ago, and expressed his joy at seeing the students' growth over the years, both academically and personally. Prof Young wished that graduates would cherish what they have achieved, move ahead and scale new heights in their future endeavours. Teachers and guests toasted the graduates and wished them the best in the days ahead.

Miss Chan Hei Chi, Miss Mary Fung and Miss Peachayaporn Pongsarojanavit (Fern) spoke on this happy occasion. Mary was grateful to Prof Kenneth Young, Founding College Master, Prof Wong Suk Ying, Founding College Dean of Students, and other teachers, for their unfailing support to the College and its students over the past four years. Hei Chi reflected on the memories that all graduates share, from life in I-House Block 3 before the College premise was built, to eventually the CW Chu College Hostel where they now live. She was thankful to have been able to make many friends along the way, who have supported her during ups and downs. Fern, an international student from Thailand, thanked all the teachers and friends at the College, for creating an intimate second home for her in Hong Kong. Although graduates would be taking different paths, she had no doubt that they would stay connected regardless of where they might be. They expressed once more their gratitude to the College for nurturing them, and completed the sharing in a big round of applause from the audience. Dedicated to the Graduating Class, a short video that captures the memorable moments of the past four years was screened.

Prof Thomas Au, College Dean of Students, introduced the Cultus et Beneficentia Award. The Award was established in 2016 by the College, and will be granted to the best student(s) of the graduating class of CW Chu College starting from this year onwards. It will be the highest honour for CWC students. The Award aims to recognise student(s) who have demonstrated the spirit of CWC (4'I's: Intimate, International, Intellectual and Involved) in the best way during their normative study periods. Prof Kenneth Young announced Miss Carissa Ma (Year 4, English) as the winner of the Award.

Prof Young also introduced the Alumni Club of CW Chu College and its four class representatives, namely Mr Kevin Cheung, Miss Azura Choi, Mr Sun Yixing and Mr Shaurye Vardhan. He hoped that students would stay connected with the College, and encouraged alumni to visit the College after graduation, eventually also as parents, mentors, or even donors. For details of the Alumni Club, please refer to the article, 'Alumni Club' in this issue.

Please revisit the treasured moments of the party at the College Facebook photo album at THIS LINK.