In golden autumn, old friends returned to their alma mater. On November 7, more than 100 alumni from the Class of 1981 in Clinical Medicine at Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, came back to campus from across the country for a reunion spanning four decades. They gathered with former leaders of the former Hengyang Medical College, their former course instructors, and their grade counselor to celebrate long-standing friendships, discuss the university’s high-quality development, and jointly propose the establishment of the “81 Outstanding Medical Student Scholarship,” continuing the legacy of Hengyang Medical College through generosity and care. Tang Zhongyang, Secretary of the CPC University Committee, attended the commemorative meeting and delivered a speech. Li Le, Deputy Secretary of the CPC University Committee, also attended.
In his address, Tang Zhongyang extended a warm welcome to the returning alumni on behalf of the university and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their long-standing concern and support. He noted that the Class of 1981 alumni have devoted themselves to the healthcare field, working diligently and selflessly. Many have become leading experts in their industries, hospital administrators, outstanding entrepreneurs, and physicians and scholars rooted in clinical practice and dedicated to teaching and mentoring. They have contributed the strength of the University of South China to building a Healthy Hunan and a Healthy China, serving as a shining emblem of the university’s high-quality medical education and a vivid example for current students.
Tang Zhongyang stated that in recent years the university has remained focused on talent cultivation, implemented the strategy of strengthening the university through talent development, advanced innovation-driven development, and promoted the coordinated growth of medicine, teaching, and research, steadily enhancing its overall educational strength. These achievements have been made possible by the dedicated efforts of all faculty and staff, as well as the strong support of alumni. Currently, the university is making every effort to build a high-level university with distinctive characteristics. Advancing the development of the University of South China is a shared mission for all members of the USCh community, including alumni at home and abroad. He sincerely hoped that the alumni would continue to work together with their alma mater, offer advice and suggestions for its high-quality development, and jointly write a new chapter in building a distinctive, high-level university.
At the commemorative meeting, Professor Yang Yongzong, former Dean of Hengyang Medical College, and Wu Dongxian, the alumni’s former grade teacher, delivered speeches. They recalled classroom teaching and scientific exploration from their student years, highlighted the steadfast commitment of generations of Hengyang Medical College educators to moral education and dedicated mentoring, and expressed deep appreciation for the alumni’s gratitude and contributions to their alma mater. They encouraged alumni to continue carrying forward the spirit of Hengyang Medical College and help elevate the university’s medical disciplines to new heights.
Alumni representatives Zhou Haibo, Wen Feng, Liu Youliang, Dai Jiapei, and Yin Weimin spoke in turn, reminiscing about their years at Hengyang Medical College, expressing gratitude for their mentors’ guidance and their alma mater’s cultivation, and sharing their experiences in medicine, scientific research, management, and entrepreneurship. They conveyed their sincere commitment to supporting medical talent development at their alma mater. Alumni Jin Jianqiu read the proposal, calling on all Class of 1981 alumni to remain true to their original aspiration as medical professionals, continue to care for the development of their alma mater, and help pass on the torch of medical education at Hengyang Medical College. The attending alumni responded positively, pledging to continue supporting medical education at the university and contributing to its high-quality development.
The commemorative meeting was moderated by alumni Zhou Guohua and Wang Hua. Representatives from relevant university departments and Hengyang Medical College also attended.
The Class of 1981 alumni have consistently demonstrated their commitment to giving back to their alma mater. From donating to build the “81 Xin Garden” at their 30th reunion to proposing and establishing the “81 Outstanding Medical Student Scholarship” at their 40th reunion, they have continued to support the university’s teaching and cultivating mission through concrete actions, setting an inspiring example for students across the campus.
