"We wish you a very happy New Year," said Dr. Sonya Grypma, Vice Provost of Leadership and Graduate Studies and Dean of TWU Global, who expressed in a video message to the TWU community this month, during the Lunar New Year.
Dr. Grypma honoured the generosity of TWU MA Leadership Mandarin program almuni who raised over $50,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts at the Wuhan Central Hospital in China. Mandarin alumni also made generous donations of PPE and medical equipment to frontline workers in both Vancouver, Canada and in China. As well, faculty and staff hosted prayer sessions and online crisis support groups. Dr. Grypma expressed her gratitude to the community for their efforts in serving one another.
"This year is going to be a great year," said Dr. Phil Laird, Vice President of Innovation, Global and Academic Partnerships. He, along with his children, produced video recordings of their Lunar New Year greetings. Below is a warm message from Dr. Laird to the community:
Ms. Sufang Chen, who started her studies in the MA Leadership Mandarin program in November 2018 and successfully completed a major job change in 2020, is thankful for the newly acquired competencies and perspectives she gained throughout the program. "The past two years’ learning journey has not been easy, but I am very joyful and thankful because I have been learning new knowledge, skills and perspectives every day. My life has been gradually renewed during the learning process."
"Before I took the MA Leadership Mandarin program, I would had been very upset when I saw many bad things at work or in other life situations. I had felt the world is full of sins, so I was disappointed and even angry. Thankfully, since I started my studies in the Mandarin program, I have become more compassionate and started to reflect on God’s mercy..." she said.
"As my learning progressed, I was constantly adjusting my perspectives, re-learning about myself, understanding leadership, and reevaluating the value and significance of my work and my life." Ms. Chen continued. "I experienced a lot of struggle during this process. Facing the future, I know I need more courage, because [my work] environment is not desirable at all. Nevertheless, I will embrace an unknown future with courage, confidence, and the desire for practicing servant leadership."
Ms. Chen is grateful to her professors for their teaching excellence. "During my studies at TWU, each of the program teachers and staff exemplified what they taught us, and offered us strong support. No matter what the problem is, I could always seek help from them. The love flowing out of their lives nourishes us."
She appreciates her peers. "We are not lonely travelers. We have fellow classmates who walk along with us and generously provide help to us whenever we need. We have formed deep, trusting partnerships with each other. Our class is a very safe environment where we don’t have worries or fears, and we can always speak out our minds. I am very grateful for this opportunity and experience."
As the New Year starts, Ms. Chen is hopeful. "Facing the future environment and challenges, I feel that I am more positive now. In the past, my eyes would be fixed on obstacles that I couldn't overcome and often couldn't let go. Now...I am more open-minded and resilient...I will be more confident and more empowered when I set off again! Thank you, TWU! "
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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