The National Cheng Kung University Northern California Alumni Association held its 50th Phoenix Flower Annual Meeting at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center on November 15th. President Shun Meng-ru of NCKU led a delegation from Tainan to attend the event, joined by nearly three hundred alumni, former presidents of the alumni association, and representatives from various alumni clubs. The event also featured a ceremony for the handover of the presidency and chairmanship. Wu Zhi-xiang, Director of the San Francisco Office, and Chao Ya-shu, Director of the Overseas Chinese Education Center, were also invited to attend.
The annual meeting kicked off with thunderous drumming. Director Wu Zhi-xiang praised the outstanding performance of NCKU alumni in the Bay Area, highlighting their contributions in high-tech, engineering research, and industry leadership, showcasing the spirit of “seeking the truth from facts” and their role as an important soft power of Taiwan, as well as reliable partners in promoting Taiwan-US exchanges. Director Chao Ya-shu also pointed out that the NCKU Northern California Alumni Association is one of the most active organizations at the Overseas Chinese Education Center, with many prominent alumni excelling in various fields in the Bay Area.
President Shun Meng-ru not only presented a briefing video on campus affairs but also honored alumni who graduated sixty, fifty, and forty years ago by putting commemorative caps on them. He emphasized that although NCKU is located in Tainan, the cultural core of Taiwan, and not the political center, it has always maintained a local focus while keeping an international outlook. The achievements of NCKU today stem from the collective efforts of alumni around the world.
Director Luo Wei-cheng, Secretary of NCKU, shared that the 94th-anniversary alumni night celebration held in Tainan recently set a new record for alumni participation and saw a significant increase in alumni receiving recognition upon returning to campus, demonstrating the deep connection between the alma mater and its alumni. YU Rui-ling, Director of Sustainability, and Lin Peng-zhan, Deputy Dean of NCKU Hospital, each presented highlights of campus affairs and the current situation of the university, inviting alumni to learn more about NCKU’s latest developments.
Existing President Yan Zheng-xiong reviewed the alumni association activities of 2025, emphasizing that the core of the association is its people – promoting communication and emotional connections through activities, a cohesive force that drives the association forward. Outgoing Chairman Zhang Jin thanked the board members and volunteers for their dedication and shared the developmental journey of the board. She encouraged more young alumni to join and contribute to the development of the association.
Under the witness of President Shun and past presidents, the annual meeting featured the induction ceremony for the new President Hong Qi-feng and the new Chairman Li Shan-ying.
Hong Qi-feng expressed his hope for the alumni association to continue to be a platform for intergenerational exchanges, combining the experience of seasoned alumni with the energy of young alumni to ensure the continuous transmission of values. Li Shan-ying also called for more alumni to join the board of directors, aiming for new milestones for the NCKU Northern California Alumni Association.
Outstanding alumnus President Zhang Yun-li shared life experiences and encouraged young alumni with five key success factors: Vision, Optimism, Integrity, Courage, and Empathy. Dr. Gong Xing-xian shared his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that the success of entrepreneurship relies on teamwork, and the lack of teamwork is a major cause of failure.
Young board member Louis expressed his willingness to engage in board work to give back to his alma mater and assist younger students in their studies and lives in Taiwan and the United States, ensuring the spirit and care of NCKU continues to thrive.
The day coincided with the 90th birthday of alumnus “McDonald’s King” Yin Ji-cheng, and alumni sang happy birthday to him, creating a warm atmosphere. The annual meeting presented awards such as the “Outstanding Alumni Award,” “Silent Dedication Award,” Morning Bell Scholarship, and Children’s Scholarship, and featured performances including diabolo, modern dance, classical dance, and the Silicon Valley Band’s lively music, concluding with a festive raffle draw.