December 8th holds a special place in the hearts of the Xiangya community. It marks the founding anniversary of Xiangya Medical College on December 8, 1914, a groundbreaking institution in Sino-foreign collaboration for higher medical education. As we celebrate the 109th anniversary on December 8, 2023, it signifies the onset of the 110th year for Xiangya Medical Education.
Xiangya Medical College emerged during the tumultuous times of national crisis, grew amidst the nation's determined strides forward, and flourished during the era of national rejuvenation. Over the span of 109 years, Xiangya Medical Specialized School underwent a series of name changes(previously known as Xiangya Medical College, National Xiangya Medical College, Hunan Medical College, and Hunan Medical University), evolving into what is now known as Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University.
Let's take a stroll down memory lane and review key events in the history ofXiangya School of Medicineon December 8th.
December 8, 1914:Establishment of Xiangya Medical College
Building upon the exploratory practices of Yale Hospital (predecessor of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University) in September 1906 and the Yale Nursing School for Men and Women (predecessor of Xiangya School ofNursing, Central South University) in September 1911, Xiangya Medical College was officially established on July 21, 1914. TheCollegewas born out of the formal contract signed between the Hunan Yuqun Society and the Yale-China Association (previously known as Yale Mission in China). On December 8 of the same year, Xiangya Medical College held the opening ceremony for its inaugural students, including Zhang Xiaoqian and Tang Feifan, marking December 8th as the commemoration day for Xiangya Medical Education.
In 1914, Chinese representative Yan Fuqing (first from the right), along with representatives from the Yale-China Association including Edward Hume (second from the right), and officials from the Hunan Yuqun Society, such as Zhang Yujun, the president (second from the left), and Chen Runlin, the secretary (first from the left), posed for a photo after signing the agreement to jointly establish Xiangya.
On May 8, 1925, recognizing the fruitful collaboration and significant achievements of the past decade, the Hunan Yuqun Society and the Yale-China Association deliberated extensively and decided to continue their partnership in education. They signed the "Renewal Agreement between the Hunan Yuqun Society and the American Yale-China Association for Jointly Establishing Xiangya". From its founding in December 1914 until June 1925, the institution (then known as Xiangya Medical University) had been educating and cultivating talents for a decade. Due to the passing of Dr. Sun Yat-sen on March 12, 1925, celebrations for the 10th-anniversary establishment of theinstitutionwere not held. During his stay at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dr. Sun Yat-sen inscribed an encouraging message, "Learn and Apply", for Xiangya students interning at the hospital. In June of the same year, the special issue commemorating the 10th anniversary, titled "Xiangya", featured Dr. Sun Yat-sen's inscription.
In 1925, the commemorative magazine "Xiangya" was published to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Xiangya Medicial Education. It featured an inscription by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, encouraging the fifth graduating class of Xiangya Medical University with the phrase "Learn and Apply".
December 8, 1939:25th Anniversary and Dr. Yan Fuqing's 60th Birthday Celebrations
In August 1938, facing multiple bombings by Japanese forces in Changsha and the precarious safety of faculty and students, the Committee for Relocating Xiangya decided to move the private Xiangya Medical College to Guiyang, initiating the journey of relocation. On August 16, 1939, Professor Zhang Xiaoqian was elected as the acting president by the Board of Directors, succeeding the presidency. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the school's founding, the "Annual Overview of the 27th Academic Year of Private Xiangya Medical College" was published, serving as an important historical document that reflects the challenges and resilience of higher medical education in China at that time. The celebration of the 25th anniversary and the 60th birthday of the first president, Dr. Yan Fuqing, took place on December 8.
On April 22, 1938, Dr. Yan Fuqing, the first president of Xiangya Medical College before its relocation, along with President Wang Zigui (front row, fourth from the right) and Acting President Zhang Xiaoqian (back row, fourth from the right), posed for a photograph with faculty members in front of the Xiangya Red Building in Changsha.
On December 8, 1944: Spirited Singing during the Chongqing Relocation in the face of Adversity during the Anti-Japanese War.
Due to the arduous struggles of the Anti-Japanese War, the conditions for running the school remained extremely challenging. Many people felt a sense of uncertainty and despair, necessitating a spiritual force to unite and inspire everyone. In response, President Zhang Xiaoqian initiated widespread mobilization and collection of ideas, ultimately establishing the school motto "Be Public-Minded, Brave, Prudent, Diligent, Honest, and Humble." On June 1, 1941, the first volume, second issue of the "Journal of National Xiangya Medical College" featured the patriotic and distinctly Xiangya-style school anthem, along with an explanation of the lyrics.
On December 7, 1944, as Japanese aggression reached Dushan, Guizhou, the school was forced to relocate again to Chongqing. On the following day, coinciding with the 30th-anniversary celebration, Xiangya faculty and students, facing the harsh winds in the mountains of Guizhou, passionately sang the school anthem, inspiring everyone with the lyrics, "Having experienced hardships and challenges, our spirit remains undaunted", and "Great creation, benefiting humanity and glorifying the school for countless years". The school motto and anthem, born in the midst of war, are imbued with profound patriotism, enduring through the years and inspiring generations of Xiangya students.
In 1940, President Zhang Xiaoqian established the school motto, and in 1941, the inaugural edition of the school anthem was published in the "Journal of National Xiangya Medical College" (lyrics by Long Bojian, composed by Tang Xueyong).
December 8, 1948: a Special Edition Compiled in Celebration of the School's Anniversary
In 1946, various members of the Xiangya medical education system gradually returned to Changsha. On December 8, the entire school held the first post-return anniversary celebration. In April 1948, Professor Ling Minyou took over as the president. In December, having served for less than a year, President Ling Minyou keenly felt the weight of responsibility and saw the need to summarize the achievements since the wartime management of the school and its subsequent reconstruction. This act served as both acknowledgment of the hard work of the previous president and contemporaries and as inspiration for the Xiangya community. Therefore, on December 8, a simple yet grand 34th-anniversary celebration was held, and the "Journal of National Xiangya Medical College" published a special edition commemorating the 34th anniversary. Notably, the publication featured a section on the layout of the Xiangya campus, hospital, and supporting facilities, making it a valuable and rare document.
The special edition commemorating the 34th anniversary of Xiangya's education in 1948, including the layout of the Xiangya campus in the same year.
December 8, 1951:Xiangya Fully Embraced by the People
On September 7, 1949, the Cultural Takeover Department of the Military Control Committee of Changsha City issued an order for the takeover of National Xiangya Medical College. The takeover was scheduled to begin on September 11 and conclude by the 19th. During this period, the school temporarily fell under the leadership of the Education Department of the temporary government of Hunan Province. However, Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Nursing School remained private. On January 12, 1951, Xiangya Medical College, Xiangya Hospital, and Xiangya Nursing School jointly submitted a letter to the Central-South Military Political Committee, requesting the government to take over Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Nursing School, with direct leadership from Xiangya Medical College. On December 8, 1951, on the 37th anniversary of the school, Xiangya Medical College received orders to comprehensively take over Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Nursing School, formally establishing the management system with Xiangya Medical College leading Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Nursing School.
On December 8, 1951, a celebration and the takeover of the hospital and nursing school were held at the North Campus Small Auditorium (now a nationally protected historical building) as part of the 37th-anniversary commemoration event.
December 8, 1964:Address by the First President, Dr. Yan Fuqing
On December 8, 1964, the school (then known as Hunan Medical College) held a grand celebration for its 50th anniversary. Over the past 50 years, the school had experienced significant development, especially in the 15 years following the establishment of the People's Republic of China. During this time, it achieved notable success in medical education, producing 3,160 high-level, formally trained medical professionals for the new China. This number was more than nine times that of the first 35 years. Additionally, the school contributed to the training of 2,117 advanced students from both within and outside the province.Notably, Dr. Yan Fuqing, the first president, attended the anniversary event accompanied by Professor Wu Shaoqing, a member of the first graduating class. Dr. Yan delivered a speech, expressing his joy at returning to the place where Xiangya Medical College was founded in 1914. He highlighted the 18 years he spent working in Changsha, emphasizing the significant role Xiangya played in his lifelong commitment to medical education. Changsha, he remarked, was his second hometown, and returning there brought him immense happiness.
The speech prepared by Dr. Yan Fuqing, the first president, for the 50th anniversary of Hunan Medical College (donated in electronic format by Fudan University Archives)
December 8, 1984:Reflecting on Two 35-Year Periods
In anticipation of the 70th anniversary celebration, Hunan Medical College established the Anniversary Celebration Preparatory Committee and its operational institutions on November 24, 1983. After over a year of meticulous preparation, they published several commemorative works, including "Xiangya Chronicles - Volume One", "Hunan Medical College 70th Anniversary Research Papers Collection", "Anniversary Special Issue (Teaching Papers Collection)", and "Hunan Medical College Alumni Directory 1914-1984". The celebratory event took place on December 8, 1984, at the South Campus Auditorium and attracted more than 1,200 alumni from both domestic and international backgrounds, along with over 4,000 faculty, students, and staff members.
On December 8, 1984, Hunan Medical College held the 70th-anniversary celebration at the South Campus Auditorium. President Xu Youheng delivered a speech titled 'Promoting Fine Traditions, Adhering to the 'Three Orientations,' and Better Creating a New Situation for the Whole School
December 8, 1987:Renamed as Hunan Medical University
In December 1987, with the approval of the Hunan Provincial Government and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, and the official consent from the State Education Commission, the institution underwent a formal name change to Hunan Medical University. On the occasion of the 73rd anniversary on December 8, a ceremony was held to mark the establishment of Hunan Medical University, with Professor Luo Jiadian serving as the first president after the renaming. In January 1988, the university adopted a new official seal.
In December 1987, a historic moment captured by photographer Cai Yisheng marked the renaming of Hunan Medical College to Hunan Medical University.
December 8, 1992:Opening of the Third Affiliated Hospital
The year 1992 was a fruitful one for Hunan Medical University. In July, both the first and second affiliated hospitals (now known as Central South University Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Second Hospital) passed the hospital hierarchical management review with high scores, meeting the standards and earning the title of 'Triple-A Level Hospital' from the Hunan Provincial Health Department. On December 8, coinciding with the 78th-anniversary celebration, the Third Affiliated Hospital (now Central South University Xiangya Third Hospital) officially opened to the public. On the same day, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hong Kong and Macau Alumni Building, a joint investment by over 130 alumni from Hong Kong and Macau and the Third Affiliated Hospital, took place.
On November 28, 1989, the groundbreaking ceremony for Xiangya Third Hospital took place, with the then main leaders of Hunan Medical University captured in a photo at the construction site in the new Xiangya campus.
1994, 2004, 2014:Anniversary Celebrations on October 18th
Considering factors such as the cold weather at the end of the year in Changsha and the significance of the historic building (Xiangya Red Building) that holds the memories of several generations of Xiangya people, the foundation-laying ceremony was aligned with the historical context of October 18, 1915. The 80th-anniversary celebration in 1994 and subsequent anniversary celebrations have continued the tradition of being held on October 18th.
In 1994, during the 80th-anniversary celebration, bronze statues of the two former presidents, Yan Fuqing (right) and Zhang Xiaoqian (left), were ceremoniously erected in the campus.
In 2014, on the occasion of the centennial celebration, Comrade Liu Yandong, then Vice Premier of the State Council, visited the school for inspection and wrote an inscription
On December 8, 2023, Xiangya Medical Education celebrated its 109th anniversary.In our continuous pursuit of progress, innovation, and the preservation of our heritage, we extend a sincere invitation to leaders at all levels, faculty, students, alumni around the world, and individuals from various sectors who are concerned about the development ofXiangya School of Medicine. Your ongoing support is crucial to propel Xiangya Medical Education to new heights, contributing to its renewed vigor and success.
