Confucius Institute China Experience 2011

I am sure many are wondering why the Confucius Institute at WKU picked North China Electric Power University as the host site for its very first Summer Program, instead of a traditional University. The school was founded in 1958 with its first name being Beijing Electric Power College. The school was later renamed, North China Institute of Electric Power. Then in 1995, Beijing Electric Power College was merged with North China Institute of Electric Power, and was named North China Electric Power University. As the name implies, the school specializes in power and energy-relevent disciplines such as electric power engineering, automation, energy and thermal power engineering, and renewable energy. The school is ranked as one of “211 Project” Universities in China, referring to Top 100 Chinese Universities in the 21st Century. As you can see, NCEPU’s reputation rivals American Institutions such as MIT or Georgia Tech in the area of Engineering.

Still wondering why the Confucius Institute at WKU chose NCEPU for its cultural exchange school? What you may not know is that the school is much more diversified than just Engineering. They currently offer degree programs ranging from Industrial Economics, Masters of Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Public Administration, and English Language & Literature. So, the school is not just an engineering/power generating University, it is a comprehensive University with a deep heritage in the area of Electric Power Generation. In addition, their English Language & Literature program is partnering with the Confucius Institute at WKU, and has began (AY 11/12) bringing a few Chinese teachers into the Kentucky school system to teach Chinese language and culture. Thus, it should make perfect sense why the Confucius Institute would make this University the site for the CI’s very first “Adult Summer Trip.”

The planning, and funding of this trip has been a daunting task. It has been a shared task by the Confucius Institute at WKU, various departments across WKU’s campus (i.e. Health Services, WKURF, Finance & Administration, President’s Office, etc.), North China Electric Power University, and Hanban. Of the 44 participants, all but seven individuals are WKU faculty, staff, or students.  See below for a complete roster and departments represented on this trip:

Michael Binder – Former Dean of Libraries
Nancy Binder – Community Member
Kathryn Burchfield – Enrollment Management (Office of Provost)
Richard Burnette – WKU Student
Margaret Crowder – Geography and Geology
Brandon Davidson – Interactive Video Services
Lynn Ferguson – Artist-In-Residence
Eric Fisher – Library Facilities
John Gott – Desktop Support
Erlene Grise-Owens – Master’s of Social Work Program
Erin Greunke – Geography and Geology
Stan Herren – Technical Support (College of Education)
Lisa Cooper-Holmes – Community Member
Ingrid Lilly – Philosophy and Religion
Rebecca Long – WKU Student
James Lowe – English Department
Hajara Mahmood – Ed.D Student
Kenyetta Martin – Ed.D Student
Terrill Martin – ICSET / WKU Center for R&D / Confucius Institute
Margaret Maxwell – Teacher Education Department
Laura McGee – Modern Languages
Ronald Mitchell – Dept. Chair – Professional Studies
Beth Murphy – International Student Scholar Services
Olivia Murphy – Community Member
Esther Orndorff – WKU Student
Kathleen Orndorff – WKU Student
Larry Owens – Social Work Department
Wei-Ping Pan – Assistant to the President / Director of ICSET & Confucius Institute
Alice Pan – Community Member
Nathan Phelps – Honor’s College
Clarrisa Priddy – Graduate Admission Department
Janette Ralston – Community Member
Neil Ralston – Journalism & Broadcasting
George Rasmussen – Executive-In-Residence (GFCOB)
Loren Ruff – Theater & Dance Department
Vicki Sharer – Art Department
Lee Ann Smith – SkyTeach
Natasha Smith – Planning, Design, and Construction
Martin Stone – Agriculture Department
Jeremy Thompson – Basic Skills for College Teaching (BSCT)
JoAnn Thompson – International Student Scholar Services
Steve Thompson – Community Member
Ta’Neka Vaden – Heath Services
Haiwang Yuan – Library Services

Please follow us as we document our independent and collective experiences in Beijing China. Our stay will be for a total of 20 days, so there will be plenty to both read and write about.

So far 43 adventurers have arrived safely, and awaiting our last adventurer to show up this morning. It is amazing how taxing such a long flight can be. I really pondered on whether to pay for the upgrade, as they all looked really comfortable. It was a long day, long flight, but the excitement overshadowed all of that. Most of us did not know each other, but we had plenty of time for that at the airport.

I am truly blessed to have this opportunity, and look forward to learning more about the Chinese heritage and culture. Today is our first day of adventure in China and look forward to it. check back later for more updates.

Six days until departure with our group of 45 faculty, staff and WKU family! I have been reading about China for months already, in preparation for an encounter with this important nation. Some of the most useful books I have found: Peter Hessler’s “River Town,” about his years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the town of Fuling in the 1990′s (very absorbing!); “This is China,” edited by our own Haiwang Yuan, a quick-read account of the dynasties that concludes with a compact chapter on China today; “The Chinese Mind” by Boye Lafayette De Mente, with short chapters on important concepts in Chinese culture; and finally “China in the 21st Century” by Jeffrey Wasserstrom, intended as a what-you-must-know handbook with questions for discussion (seems to have been designed as a companion to undergraduate courses on China). Haven’t bought a Beijing guidebook yet. Amazon reviews suggest my choice will have to be as current as possible, as China is changing so fast. Cheryl Kirby-Stokes tells me that Hessler’s “Oracle Bones” is even better than “River Town.” Hessler was Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker after his stint in the Peace Corps. The NYT gives ”Oracle Bones” a good review. Might be nice for a long plane flight! — Laura McGee