Dr. Cheng Che Min - Rotary and I

Rotary and I

Che-Min Cheng (Zheng Zhemin)2014 Rotary China Conference

Shanghai, ChinaSeptember 20, 2014

Outline• How I became a Rotary Foundation

Scholar（ 1947-1948）• Building friendship （ 1948-1954）• Reunion （ 1979）• A few words about myself

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University (1947)

• Teaching assistant in the same department

• Rotary International Scholarship announcement

• An English exam

“Mr. Cheng is an exceptionally bright student in his field and very active in extra curriculum activities. He has the rare combination of scholarship and leadership. In my honest opinion such a student, if given chance to develop further, will do a great good to our country.”

- Dean G. L. Wu (1947)

“…this selection was made by our University Council from among twenty-one applications from the junior members of our teaching staff and graduate students….”

- President Y. C. Mei

• First letter from Mr. Ballou, President of the Peiping Rotary Club (January 5, 1948)– First interview (January 10,

1948)

• Second letter from Mr. Ballou, (January 12, 1948)– “… you are the one for our local

Club to support.” – Compete with other Clubs in the

same Rotary District. – “Only one nomination can be

made from each District to the Committee of Rotary International.”

– “… as there are more than one hundred and seventy districts, most candidates officially nominated are inevitably doomed to disappointment.”

Letter from Mr. C.C. Lin, Governor, District 98 (January 29, 1948)Lunch interview on February 4, 1948• Mr. C.C. Lin, Chair of the

interview• Others present

– S. Hu, President of Peking University

– C.W. Lu, President of Yan Ching University

• Mr. Cheng-Ting Wang advised me to apply for admission as early as possible because of expected heavy enrolment (February 28, 1948)

• Chest X-ray by fluoroscopy became a problem

• Because I submitted my application early, I had time to consult a specialist and underwent another health check at the Peiping Union Hospital.

• Second set of X-ray pictures cleared me of any lung problem.

• On May 15, Caltech accepted me.

Letter from Mr. C.C. Lin to Mr. J.C. Sun, President of the Rotary Club of Peiping; Copy to Che-Min Cheng (May 25, 1948)

Cablegram from Rotary International, Chicago:

“Your district candidate Cheng Che-Min sponsored by Peiping awarded Rotary Foundation Fellowship for 1948-1949….”

Letter by Mr. Lin to Mr. Phil Lovejoy, Secretary, Rotary International, Chicago, regarding:

My acceptance of the Rotary Foundation Fellowship

Payment of my steamship ticket

Plans to visit Rotary Clubs in China before my departure

• President Mei directed Tsinghua University to apply for me a passport. Mr. Lin and Prof. Ching sent letters to facilitate the matter.

• Mr. Lin booked for me a first class ticket on SS General Meigs scheduled for sail on Aug. 18 from Shanghai to San Francisco.

• I met with the incoming Governor Keats Chu and spoke at the Tientsien Rotary Club

• The Peiping Rotary Club invited me to their weekly meeting. I thanked them for their sponsorship and spoke about my plans. A letter to the Pasadena Rotary Club was handed to me.

• Passport arrived in early August but with my name spelt incorrectly

• A night train to Nanking• Luck once more played a critical role• A visit to the Shanghai Rotary Club• Blessings from Dr. Cheng-Ting Wang• Farewell to my family

Last minute rush

Building Friendship• Arrival in San Francisco• Mr. Ted Lutes, secretary of the

Pasadena Rotary Club• Having my first picture taken• Registration at Caltech and the

Old Dorm

• Joining the Caltech Foreign Student Association

Mr. Ted Lutes• Electric engineer, working at the

Beniof Seismology Lab. In downtown Pasadena

• I stayed in his house for one semester.

• Arranged visits to Rotary Clubs.• Arranged tours to plants• An ardent supporter of the

Caltech Foreign Student Association

• His many questions about China caused me to do systematic reading that formed the basis of my talks on China at the Rotary clubs.

Mr. Marples and Family

• Owned a factory supplying special gears to the airplane manufactures.• He and his wife both genuinely interested in helping foreign students.• I was invited to live in their house for one semester and became a

member of the family.• Frequently asked about me after I left the U.S.

Samples of Communications with Rotary International

Dear Mr. Zatteau:“This is in answer to your inquiry concerning Rotary Foundation Fellow Che-Min Cheng. We are very favorably impressed with Mr. Cheng and the Rotary Foundation is to be congratulated for its selection for the Chinese Fellowship. Jimmy Cheng is doing very well in his studies and has adapted himself to the American way of life remarkably well.”

Dr. George W. Housner (1949)

Reunion• September 1979, a

delegation of theoretical and applied mechanics to the US

• Hosted by CSCPRC (Committee on Scholar Communication with People’s Republic of China)

• Visited Universities, government and private laboratories for nearly a month

• Met with many old friends and made new friends

An amazing story

• The Watergate hotel• A random call• My friend Toru• Friendship inspite of separation in space

and time

My Alma Mater

• G. W. Housner, my professor, mentor and lifelong friend. Rotary’s watchful eyes.

• All my professors and classmates• Made many new friends• A classmate from JPL.• Paid a visit to Marples’ son, George

My trip convinces me that people to people friendship do not wear with separation in time and distance.

It lies dormant, but flourishes given the right condition.

A few words about myself• I returned to China at a time when China was

poor and weak, and short of people with advanced training. Consequently, I had unique opportunities to work for my country.

• I work on applied mechanics at the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

• I worked hard. Luck was with me. So, I received many honors. But, I believe one should have higher aspirations.

I am very grateful that the Rotary Foundation Fellowship for Advanced Studies helped me set up a new course of life that was fruitful and satisfying.As I look back at the events 68 years ago, I am struck by the warmth, enthusiasm, care that people from many walks of life showed me and my heart is full of gratitude. Please allow me to express my sincere and long overdue thanks to all Rotarians, the Rotary International, and the Rotary Foundation.

Thank You!