On this day filled with love, on this special occasion for all Tongjians, the Tongji University School of Economics and Management Alumni Association held a grand “Those Years at Tongji” — 115th Anniversary Reunion Welcome Event. Over 52 classes and nearly 500 alumni “gathered” in, sharing youthful romance and reliving cherished Tongji memories!

The event received strong support from the university and great attention from the school. Professor Lei Xinghui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Tongji University, Professor Shi Qian, Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management, and Professor Xie En, Vice Dean, joined online to warmly welcome the alumni “home”!

As alumni entered the virtual meeting room, a slideshow of old photos on the screen instantly sparked a wave of nostalgia. Those youthful, vibrant moments and unforgettable times at Tongji came flooding back.

The welcome event was hosted by Teacher Cheng Guoping, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Director of the Alumni and Corporate Relations Office. Following her heartfelt opening remarks, the welcome event officially began!

Lei Xinghui

Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Tongji University

Vice President of Tongji University

Professor Lei Xinghui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Tongji University, delivered a speech at the welcome event. He warmly welcomed the alumni back home and spoke about how university education leaves a profound imprint on every individual, with each alumnus consciously or unconsciously embodying the “Tongji spirit”. It is precisely because of the alumni’s active practice of the Tongji motto — “United in heart, virtue, and endeavor, benefiting people, matters, and the world” — that Tongji University and its School of Economics and Management have earned widespread social recognition. As Tongji University embarks on its new journey in the “14th Five-Year Plan”, the university will continue to strive for excellence in its development as a Double First-Class institution. He expressed hope that alumni will continue to care for, support, and contribute to the development of their alma mater. Vice President Lei also emphasized that the university will always be a spiritual home for its alumni, and they will forever remain the university’s enduring concern. He looked forward to a future when the clouds of the pandemic clear, warmly inviting everyone to return to the beautiful Tongji campus.

Shi Qian

Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management, Tongji University

Professor Shi Qian, Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management, first expressed gratitude to the alumni for their heartfelt support during these special times. He noted that upon graduation, every student of the School of Economics and Management carries the Tongji label throughout their life, donning the armor of the school and forging ahead in their respective fields, passing down honor and dreams. Therefore, the development of the university and the school is closely tied to every alumnus, and each alumnus’s success adds luster to their alma mater and the school. Secretary Shi encouraged the alumni to stay grounded, strive diligently, and continuously polish the golden reputation of being a “Tongji School of Economics and Management alumnus”.

Xie En

Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Tongji University

Professor Xie En, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management, provided a comprehensive overview to the attending alumni about the school’s progress in foundational discipline development, talent cultivation, faculty team building, international cooperation, and university-enterprise partnerships. He emphasized that the school’s current achievements would not have been possible without the support and participation of its alumni. He sincerely hoped that alumni would continue to stand hand in hand with their alma mater, working in harmony with the school to support its vibrant and upward development trajectory during the new journey of the “14th Five-Year Plan”.

Cheng Dong

Executive President of the Alumni Association of the School of Economics and Management, Tongji University

On behalf of the Alumni Council of the School of Economics and Management and its alumni, President Cheng Dong extended heartfelt 115th birthday wishes to the alma mater. In his speech, President Cheng expressed sincere gratitude for the nurturing provided by the university and the school. He and the alumni take great pride in the remarkable achievements in the development of both the university and the school. Looking ahead, the Alumni Council and alumni will do their utmost to contribute to the continued progress of their alma mater and the school.

Cheng Guoping

Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Tongji University

Director of the Alumni and Corporate Relations Office of Tongji University

Teacher Cheng Guoping, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Director of the Alumni and Corporate Relations Office of Tongji University, provided a detailed introduction to the alumni about the current state of the school’s alumni initiatives. She elaborated on four key areas: the organizational structure of the alumni association, the 321 Plan, university-enterprise cooperation, and alumni donations. She emphasized that the school and its alumni are closely interconnected, sharing both honor and challenges. She expressed her hope that the school and its alumni, as a shared community of purpose and emotion, would join hands to progress together and move toward a brighter future.

Speeches by Alumni Representatives from Three Generations

In the subsequent session featuring alumni representatives, representatives from the older, middle, and younger generations shared their stories of studying at Tongji’s School of Economics and Management, guiding us back to relive those cherished campus days.

Alumnus Mr. Zhang Guozhang moved many to tears, with the word “touching” flooding the chat area, worth more than a thousand words.

The speeches from the three generations of alumni resonated deeply with everyone, prompting enthusiastic comments and likes in the chat area.

Lucky Moment

To celebrate the university’s anniversary, the Alumni Office of the School specially prepared exquisite gifts for the alumni, distributed through a lucky draw.

During this joyful gathering, the Vice President and members of the Alumni Council, along with presidents of various industry associations, attended and extended their heartfelt blessings to their alma mater.

At the conclusion of the welcome event, under the suggestion of the host, Teacher Cheng Guoping, all attending leaders, guests, teachers, and alumni raised their glasses together to celebrate the university’s anniversary, wishing their alma mater a happy 115th birthday!