Xavier University of Louisiana Confucius Institute Grand Opening
Celebrated on October 19-20, 2012
The Grand Opening of the Confucius Institute at Xavier University of Louisiana was
celebrated on October 19, 2012. Approved by Hanban and Confucius Institute
Headquarters in Beijing, the Confucius Institute is co-established by Xavier and Hebei
Universities. It is the only such institute in the State of Louisiana. Over 300 people,
including officials from the Chinese Consulate at Houston, delegation from Hebei
University, officials from Louisiana and the city of New Orleans, Xavier Board of Trustees,
local Chinese celebrities and entrepreneurs, Confucius Institute students, and students
and faculty from local schools, attended the celebration.
In her addresses, Madame Xu Erwen, Consul General from the Chinese Consulate
in Houston, spoke highly of the launch of the Confucius Institute at Xavier. In addition to
being the first one in Louisiana, the institute is also the first among the Historically Black
Colleges and Universities in the U.S., noted by Xu. She highlighted the economic and
cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. and stated that the Confucius Institute will
play an important role in the fields of Sino–American educational, cultural, technological,
artistic and economic exchanges and cooperation. The Confucius Institute will, too,
strengthen the friendship and deepen the understanding between the two countries.
Dr. Norman C. Francis, President of Xavier University and recipient of the U.S.
Presidential Medal of Freedom, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for those who have
dedicated their support for the establishment of the Confucius Institute. Dr. Francis
emphasized the significance of the institute in improving Sino-American cooperation and
relationship.
Dr. Wang Fengming, Vice President of Hebei University, read out the Letter of
Congratulations from Madame Xu Lin, Counselor of the State Council, Director General of
Hanban and Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters. In the letter Madame
Xu thanked the people who have contributed to the establishment of the Confucius
Institute and to the promotion of Sino-US friendships. She further expressed her
confidence in the Confucius Institute to become a wonderland to help people from
Louisiana or even from across the U.S. to learn about China and Chinese culture. In his
own speech, Dr. Wang said that the Confucius Institute is the bridge in connecting Xavier
and Hebei Universities, Louisiana and Hebei Province. He thanked the friends from all
walks of life for their generous support, and wished the bridge to become stronger and
stronger under the joint efforts of the two institutions.
New Orleans city Mayor Mitch Landrieu expressed his enthusiastic support of the
growth of the Confucius Institute at Xavier when he spoke at the Presidential Gala. He
appreciated the leadership of Hanban and the support given by Hebei University and
hoped that the Confucius Institute will become a window through which citizens of the
Greater New Orleans area can understand China better.
Mr. Alan Wong, Chief Executive Director of China-United States Exchange
Foundation, sent his letter of congratulations. He appreciated the leadership of Dr.
Norman C. Francis as the President of Xavier University and paid high compliments to the
opportunities the Confucius Institute will bring to the African-American students to learn
about Chinese culture. The Gala also showed a taped message from Mr. Marc Morial,
former Mayor of New Orleans and President & CEO of National Urban League, who
recalled his motivation in planting the seeds of establishing the Confucius Institute at
Xavier and the tremendous support he gave during the application. He wished the best
of luck for the Confucius Institute in advancing the mutual understanding between citizens
of China and the United States.
The Grand Opening of the Confucius Institute at Xavier University began with the
performance of Chinese folk music, including erhu and zither. The famed American
Chinese singer Niko Zhang sang beautiful songs in both Chinese and English. At the
Gala, the highly-regarded New Orleans jazz band, the Dr. Michael White Quartet,
performed as well, and draw lasting applauses from the audience.
In addition to the above U.S. and Chinese officials, the Grand Opening was blessed
by Father Giles Convill with his opening prayer at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and
Deacon Clifford S. Wright with his prayer at the beginning of the Presidential Gala. At
the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Rosalind P. Hale, Chair of Xavier Division of Education,
and Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, spoke of their support and
deep involvement of the Confucius Institute application and development. Both of the
two faculty representatives serve in the Confucius Institute Internal Advisory Committee.
Ms. Ashley Trussell, President of the Student Government Association, discussed how
the Confucius Institute will expand the curricular choices and add a huge edge for
students training and professional skills. Mr. Karl Turner, a community leader, endorsed
the efforts of the Confucius Institute by presenting his vision and views on how the
Confucius Institute can contribute to the diversity and development of the community.
At
the Presidential Gala, Mrs. Mary Zervigon, Chair of Xavier University Board of Trustees,
related her personal experience and the open-mindedness her parents gave to her.
Such a quality is what Xavier students have and armed with such a broader perspective,
students will benefit from the many programs that the Confucius Institute is offering.
Grand and fabulous, the Confucius Institute Opening Ceremony was indeed an
integration and embodiment of Chinese-Western cultures. After the Presidential Gala,
the Confucius Institute also hosted Chinese traditional medicine and Taiji workshops on
October 20, and received rave feedback from the audience. Xavier already started
offering the Chinese language teaching through a local instructor Ms. Shu Peng, and now
Mr. Wang Gang from Hebei University is teaching the fundamental and intermediate
Chinese courses to Xavier students. Students are very enthusiastic about Mr. Wang’s
interactive and dynamic language instruction.
Xavier University of Louisiana wishes to acknowledge the broad-based support from
the following individuals during the application and establishment of the Confucius
Institute, including Madame Gao Yanping, former Consul General of the People’s
Republic of China in Houston and current Ambassador to Israel, U.S. Senator Mary
Landrieu, U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond, UCLA Confucius Institute Executive
Director Dr. Susan Pertel Jain, and business community leaders Mr. Edward Lee,
President of Gulf Marine Products Co, Inc., Mr. Henry Wu, Chair of the Board of Directors,
Mr. Bruce Chang, President and CEO, and Board members Tom Chen and Tony Chen of
the American First National Bank, Ms. Tina Soong of the New Orleans Times Picayune,
Mr. Karl Turner, President of A La Carte Specialty Food, Mr. Stanley Su, Executive
Vice-President of Romano Culinary Institute, Mr. Paul Poon of Lafitte Frozen Foods Co.,
Mr. John H. Gin, Certified Financial Advisor Practitioner, Ms. Hu Jing, Principal of the
Academy of Chinese Studies in New Orleans, Dr. Wing M. Fok, Henry J. Engler, Jr.
Distinguished Professor in Management at Loyola University New Orleans, Ms. Patricia
Hew, Ms. Lisa Rotondo-McCord, Assistant Director, New Orleans Museum of Art, and Mr.
Winston Ho of the University of Mississippi.
Picture 1: Xavier student Gospel Choir performing for the Confucius Institute opening
Figure 2: Ms. Zhang Xiao playing guzheng zither at the opening ceremony
Figure 3: Ribbon-cutting. (Right to left): Professor Zhang Yiqun, Consul & Director, Education
Office from Houston Consulate; Confucius Institute Director Dr. Yu Jiang; Xavier University
Board of Trustees Chair Mrs. Mary Zervigon; Xavier President Dr. Norman C. Francis; Consul
General Xu Erwen; Hebei University Vice President Dr. Wang Fengming; Sister of Blessed
Sacrament President Sister Patricia Suchalski.
Figure 4: The unveiling of the Confucius Institute plaque by Consul General Xu Erwen, Xavier
President Norman C. Francis, and Hebei University Vice President Dr. Wang Fengming
Figure 5: Consul General Xu Erwen offering a toast at the Presidential Gala; Dr. Francis enjoying
Figure 6: Dr. Norman C. Francis presenting a commemorative plaque to Dr. Wang Fengming
Figure 7: HBU delegation meeting with Xavier colleagues. (Right to left): Professor Li Xiaoliu,
Director of the International Office and Professor Shen Shigang, Assistant to the President at
Hebei University; Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Xavier Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs;
Dr. Wang Fengming; Dr. Norman C. Francis; Dr. Loren J. Blanchard, Senior Vice President for
Academic Affairs; Mr. Calvin Tregre, Senior Vice President for Administration; Dr. Anil Kukreja,
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, Vice President for
Institutional Advancement at Xavier University
Figure 8: (Right to left): Professor Wen Rongyao, Confucius Institute Chinese Director; Dr. Wang
Fengming; Dr. Norman C. Francis; Dr. Yu Jiang, Confucius Institute Director