Dr. Joseph K. Twanmoh

Retiring last year from his position as president of Soochow University, Dr. Joseph K. Twanmoh left a fourteen year record of improvements in the quality of education at the University. The third president at Soochow since the school reopened on Taiwan, Twanmoh provided the impetus for expanding the University's colleges and establishing a graduate school and a night school in his final year of service.

During his thirty years in the law profession, Dr. Joseph Twanmoh had not expected to commit himself to an occupation in education. But while his training and background is not in education, he believes strongly that whatever the job, he must do it well. This self-motivated and dedicated president helped Soochow University establish a sound foundation.

Funding is a particularly difficult problem for a private school like Soochow. Most expenditures are paid for by student tuitions and fees. The money received from Soochow's small student body is only sufficient to pay the staff; little is available to add new teachers, facilities, or books.

Ready solutions to the funding problem included charging students extra lab and research fees, and expanding the number of classes and departments in order to accommodate a larger student body and thus increase income from tuitions. Dr. Twanmoh, however, refused to adopt such policies, recognizing that the student body could not be increased without lowering the quality of education at Soochow.

Instead, Dr. Twanmoh vigorously solicited contributions from the University's alumni, friends, and the religious organizations which originally helped to establish Soochow. His wide-spread fund-raising campaign secured financing for a number of new buildings and facilities.

He showed equal fortitude and concern for students' needs when setting up new departments. Whenever a new department was established, he made certain that buildings were well-constructed, that facilities and study materials were available, and that a senior professor with a good reputation and high academic standing in his field, as well as considerable teaching experience, was secured to fill the position of department chairman.

Dr. Twanmoh's subordinates are aware of his exacting attitude towards work. The eighty-two year old Twanmoh attributes these traits to his experiences living through both World Wars. Since that time, the ability to make quick, crucial decisions and to adapt to changing circumstances became second-nature.

Three years ago, Dr. Twanmoh underwent stomach surgery which affected his general health. Before this, he had been gradually handing over the responsibilities of the school's administration to his vice president, Edward C.H. Yang. When he saw that Yang could independently manage as president, Dr. Twanmoh retired.

Dr. Twanmoh believes that his decision to retire was timely, and will allow Soochow to benefit from the impetus of a younger president.

Before leaving, Dr. Twanmoh pooled all of his personal assets, including money earned from selling his home and antiques, and generously contributed US$100,000 to the University. The money will create a reserve fund to help Soochow teachers with research and publication projects. Soochow University is fortunate to have had such a dedicated and generous president.

(Jill Ardourel)