On the afternoon of April 21, Linhai Campus of TU welcomed a group of special guests—alumni from the 1977 Class of Chinese language program of Taizhou Teachers College(the predecessor of TU). They came back to their alma mater to commemorate their 45th graduation anniversary. Li Jianjun, Vice President and member of the University Party Committee, attended the event. Their class advisor Xie Zongrong reunited with the alumni, reminiscing about old times and discussing university development. The gathering was hosted by Zhou Wulai, a classmate and Director of Taizhou Municipal Government’s Decision-Making and Advisory Committee.

Reunion

Li Jianjun extended a warm welcome to the alumni on behalf of the university. He detailed the institution’s progress across history, educational scale, faculty strength, talent cultivation, academic disciplines, research innovations, social services, and strategic planning. Notably, he highlighted that the 1977 Class of Chinese language program—the first cohort enrolled after the resumption of China’s national college entrance exams—marked the “founding generation” of Taizhou’s higher education. Their outstanding achievements in education, culture, and public administration remain a lasting source of pride for the university. Li also presented alumni with his new book, Paradise on Earth: New Perspectives on Taizhou Culture, hoping to strengthen cultural ties between graduates and their alma mater.

Xie Zongrong fondly recalled teaching the students and expressed pride in the university’s transformative growth and enhanced educational quality. Alumni representatives shared memories of their college years and gratitude for the nurturing environment. They pledged continued support for the university’s ambitions of upgrading to a higher-level university, applying for doctoral programs, and striving to be first-class.

Following the event, alumni toured Linhai Campus and Guangwen Campus, capturing group photos to commemorate the occasion.

As members of the first post-reform college cohort admitted through national exams, the 1977 Class alumni are both witnesses to China’s transformative era and practitioneers of educational revitalization. Their reunion transcended nostalgia, serving as a bridge to pass down their scholarly rigor and dedication to education to younger generations.

Representatives from the University Office (Alumni Office), Linhai Campus Integrated Service Center, and the School of Humanities participated in the event.

Campus tour and group photos