On the day of the event, alumni revisited Kaifu Campus and Xinglin Campus, places filled with youthful memories. They strolled along familiar tree-lined paths and in front of the red teaching buildings, lingering at photo booths themed “Hello, Old Classmates” and “Journey Back to the Old Days”.

The opening ceremony kicked off grandly at Fuqing Auditorium of Kaifu Campus at around 3 p.m., attended by university and school leaders including Li Jiancheng, President of Central South University, Chen Xiang, Executive Vice President, and Li Zhihong, Vice President. The ceremony was co-hosted by Jiang Youping and Deng Yunlong, alumni of the 1980 cohort.

In his address, President Li Jiancheng extended sincere greetings to all alumni and fully recognized the dedication and remarkable contributions made by the Class of 1980 over decades in the healthcare sector. Jiang Youping, President of the Alumni Association of the 1980 cohort, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of all classmates, expressing profound gratitude to the alma mater and a warm welcome to every alumnus. Lu Ying, representative of the 1979 cohort, and representatives of the Beijing Alumni Association of Central South University sent congratulatory letters, conveying blessings from senior cohorts and regional alumni branches. Afterwards, He Qinghua and Zhang Liming, alumni representatives of the 1980 cohort, took the floor to look back fondly on their youthful study days at Xiangya and share their perseverance and devotion to medical and health undertakings over the past four decades.

A bouquet of flowers and a simple address of “Dear Teacher” fully embodied the deep gratitude of students to their mentors. Heartfelt words from Professor Lei Yu’e and flowers presented by alumni representatives pushed the celebration to its emotional climax. All attendees stood and applauded for a long time, filling the venue with warm affection.

This gratitude was expressed not only through flowers and applause but also through tangible donations to support the alma mater. A donation ceremony followed, where alumni of the 1980 cohort collectively presented 56 precious mementos bearing shared memories to the school, including rare Xiangya books, textbooks, class honor certificates, vintage photos, commemorative badges and medals. Each item bears traces of time and reflects the cohort’s affectionate reflection on their youth. Vice President Li Zhihong presented a commemorative plaque to the 1980 alumni on behalf of the university, witnessing this spiritual inheritance spanning forty years.

Later, a variety show written and performed entirely by alumni of the 1980 cohort took the stage with a splendid lineup of performances. Forty years of trials and hardships, forty years of unwavering commitment to medicine. This grand reunion is far more than a long-awaited gathering; it marks a spiritual homecoming and emotional sublimation. From youthful youngsters under Xiangya’s red buildings to physicians, scholars and public health experts spread across China and around the globe, the Class of 1980 has embodied the responsibility and mission of Xiangya people through forty years of steadfast practice.

Wu Minghua, Executive Vice Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hu Guoqing, Dean of Xiangya School of Public Health, Huang Gengwen, Vice Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine, and Zeng Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Alumni General Association of Central South University, also attended the commemoration.

First Reviewer: Long Ziyang

Second Reviewer: Li Ruijun

Final Reviewer: Huang Gengwen