James Hu
It did not occur to me just how many peoples’ lives my mother, Ai Ling Guan, had touched, until I was in my early twenties, traveling around China with her. Everywhere we went, friends and family would go out of their way to pick us up from the train station, take us out to dinner, and bring together groups of old friends for 白酒. Along the way, I heard countless stories of my mother’s adventures in China and in university, of traveling the world, and maintaining a dual identity and relationships in both China and the U.S. that only a strong, dynamic, and smart woman like my mother could do.
As I reflect on my own life, I have decided that this is the kind of legacy I would also like to leave. To me it means being well-liked and highly spoken of, not necessarily because of my wealth or achievements, but because of my mature character, genuine kindness, and integrity. It means having friends around the world who will put down everything to come out for a dinner and night of friendship. It means, as in my mother’s final days, that people will come from all over the world to pay respects and tell these stories.
This program 管爱玲奖学金 is in memory of and a lasting legacy of Ai Ling Guan – how will you take this opportunity to think about your own life path, and the legacy you would like to leave on your university, your friends, and your family?
直到我过了二十岁，我和我的母亲管爱玲一起在中国旅行时，我才知道她的生活曾经感动了多少人。那时，我们每到一个地方，亲朋好友都会竭尽全力接我们，带我们去吃饭，并聚集一群老朋友喝白酒。一路上，我听到了无数关于母亲在中国包括大学时的精彩过去，环游世界的经历，以及在中美两国保持双重身份和人际关系的故事。这些，只有像母亲这样坚强、充满活力和聪明的女人才能拥有。
当我反思自己的人生，我决定以后也应该留下这样的遗产。对我而言，这意味着被人喜欢和受到高度评价，不一定是因为我的财富或成就，而是因为我成熟的性格：真诚、善良和正直。这意味着要有世界各地的朋友，他们会放下一切来参加晚餐和享受友谊之夜。就像在母亲最后的日子一样，很多世界各地的朋友特意来表示对她的敬意并讲述这些故事。
本奖学金旨在纪念我妈妈管爱玲和她留下的永久遗产。作为她的校友，您将如何利用这个机会来思考自己的生活道路，开始想想将留给母校、朋友和家人什么样的记忆和认可呢？