My grandfather on my mother's side, Theodore Chen, was a great man.
He had a great sense of humor and he accomplished a great deal during
his life. He became one of the most important men in the area of education
and Chinese studies at the University of Southern California. But
perhaps his most important contribution is the many people's lives
that he touched through his education and charity. Literally, my grandparents
sponsored hundreds of Chinese students to USC. Many of these immigrants
became extremely successful in American society,and they feel they
owe their start to my grandfather. During Christmas, mother's day
and father 's day, my grandparents are literally swamped with well
wishers, since there are so many people that feel like family to them.
The charity endures today through the Theodore Chen foundation, which
sponsors two graduate students every year. One of the largest graduate
endowments at USC.
During a trip to visit my grandmother, we were rummaging through some
of her things, and I found a 5.25" floppy. Quite a few of the files
are unreadable, (I think they are in Chinese), but some of them were
not, so I'm going to put them up. Also, I've also included a link to
the USC site where the Theodore Chen foundation is recognized.
(June, 1999) I have now added quite a few pictures to the museum.
Many of the notes of the earlier photos were written by my grandmother.
|
Year
|
Description
|
March, 1999
|
Chinese newspaper article honoring
my grandfather and the opening of the USC East Asian Library |
March, 1999
|
Second Chinese newspaper article
on the same event as above |
1998
|
USC
profile of my grandparents and the Chen Foundation. |
1998
|
A
little more USC info about the foundation. |
1986
|
Portrait of my grandparents taken
at USC |
Undated
|
A list of my grandfather's publications
|
1970's?
|
Portrait of my
grandfather |
1970's?
|
Another portrait
of my grandfather |
1967
|
My grandfather was
granted an honorary degree at USC's commencement |
1967
|
A brief biography
of my grandfather from the commencement |
1961
|
The agenda to one
of his numerous speaking engagements. |
1952
|
My grandparent's 20th wedding anniversary |
1947
|
Mother Chen's birthday, Fizhou,
China |
1945
|
My grandparents, my mother and
her sister at the Ambassador Hotel |
1936
|
The Chen Family, Fukien University |
June 30, 1932
|
Grandparent's wedding picture,
Fughou, China, Wen Shun Girl's School |
1926
|
Chung Family, Father Chung, nieces,
nephews, Uncle's widow and their daughter, Wen Hui on the right |
1915
|
Chung Family, Father Chung, brother,
sister in law, and their two daughters, Wen Hui on the left, her
two sisters, Uncle's widow and her two children. |
1913
|
Theodore Chen and his four sisters |
|