The Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society East Coast Branch held its 2024 annual meeting in Flushing on May 26. This year, the society awarded its annual scholarship to doctoral student Kaylynn Chen, who has been admitted to the applied physics program at Yale University. Chen expressed her love for challenges, her fearlessness of failure, and her aspiration to engage in work that can bring about the greatest impact.
At the event, the President of the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society East Coast Branch announced that Huakui Wang, the Chinese-American Vice President of Queensborough Community College, had become a new member. The President of the national association, Fengbao Lin, provided an update on the society’s financial status.
Established in 1921 by American professor Joseph H. Ehlers at the then North China University in Tianjin, the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society has a century-long history and was one of the most important academic organizations in China during the Republican era. The aim of the society is to “select the talented, reward academic research, honor virtue and dedication, encourage one another, and contribute to social progress.” The society was reestablished in the United States and Taiwan in 1964, with three branches in the U.S.: East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, coordinated by the national association.
This year’s scholarship recipient, Kaylynn Chen, a second-generation Taiwanese-American born in the U.S., recently graduated from Columbia University with a major in materials science and a minor in computer science. She has been admitted to Yale University as a doctoral student in applied physics, focusing on quantum networks and quantum conductivity.
In an interview, Chen shared that what sets her apart is her fondness for challenges. She expressed her preference for fields that have the potential for significant impact, stating, “I don’t want to work in a typical job or field. Solving a problem in one area can affect many others, so I prioritize fields with the most significant impact.”
When asked why she is unafraid of challenges, Chen explained, “Challenges are interesting. The worst-case scenario is failure, so why not try? Without challenges, there is no change; you will be stagnant. Only through challenges can you improve yourself.”
Chen emphasized that challenges have fueled her growth, saying, “Challenges are goals that lead to growth. If everything is easy, it becomes monotonous. If you do something that seems easy to you but lacks difficulty, then there is no need to do it. That’s why I believe in choosing tasks that I find challenging.”
Her father, Lin Chen, the current President of the Taipei Tech New York Alumni Association, described his daughter as focused on things she loves, not wasting time on what she finds boring. He praised her exceptional memory for physics and chemistry, but most importantly, he commended her compassionate nature.
Reflecting on a trip to Taiwan with his daughter, Lin Chen recounted an incident where Kaylynn noticed a taxi driver working hard and decided to tip him generously, expressing her empathy towards his difficult job. Lin Chen emphasized the importance of good character, believing it attracts “more help from benefactors.”
During the annual meeting, Dr. Wang Xiangkui delivered a speech on the impact of Generative AI on professions, education, and society. Additionally, members of the Overseas Youth Ambassador of OCAC (Overseas Community Affairs Council) and the Herricks Trio Chamber Group presented four delightful musical pieces including “Wish You Long and Healthy,” “Night Fragrance,” “Reflection,” and “Dives and Lazarus.”