Back to 80: My Literary Life

He told his friend Fantes, chairman of the Stanford University Honors Committee, who was specifically responsible for this work, about his idea.

Fantes knows a little about Fang Minghua. He is a best-selling author in the United States. The popular "Harry Potter" novel is his work. Of course, this alone does not qualify him to receive the honor from Stanford University. PhD.

But James told him about Fang Minghua's achievements in the field of literature, the various literary works he had published over the years, and the literary awards he had won. He felt that Fang Minghua was qualified.

Of course, donating 10 million is also an important factor.

The evaluation criteria for Stanford University’s honorary doctorate clearly states:

Candidates need to have significant academic achievements in their field of expertise and have a high reputation in the industry.

The selected candidates’ contributions to society and the university include their performance in public services, philanthropy, etc.

Obviously, Fang Minghua meets these two criteria.

So, Fantes began to start the selection process. Stanford is a private university, and the process is not as complicated as public universities. However, the power of the university honorary committee is not as great as that of public universities. The real evaluation power is concentrated in the hands of the school board of directors!

The Honorary Degrees Committee plays a nominating role only.

So, at James's suggestion, the school board held an impromptu meeting.

There are 37 members of the Stanford University Board of Trustees, including the president, vice presidents, deans of various colleges and several alumni representatives. It is not easy to gather so many people for a meeting at once.

But it doesn't matter. According to the board of directors' charter, a discussion like this is legal as long as two-thirds of the directors are present. If more than half vote in favor, the proposal will be passed.

As a non-voting representative, Fantes stated the basic situation of Fang Minghua to the board members.

Board members immediately started talking, with some agreeing and many opposing.

Among the opponents, the most concentrated opinion is: Is it appropriate to award an honorary doctorate to a non-American who is also a Chinese?

This is the first time this happens at Stanford and in an American university!

"Who said there is no precedent? Gentlemen, have you forgotten? 60 years ago, the Chinese scholar Hushi was awarded an honorary doctorate in literature by Harvard University. Later, American universities successively awarded him honorary doctorates!" Smith reminded.

"But the situation is different now! Don't forget that many of the Chinese students funded by the scholarships he established will return to China and will challenge our advantages in the field of science and technology in the future!"

The most fierce opponent among the opponents was Alex, the other vice principal, who stared at Smith with wide eyes.

How could such a trivial matter rise to such a high level? ?

In the end it was Principal Donald Kennedy who put an end to the quarrel.

"Stanford University is an academic institution and should not be overly political. Mr. Fang has made great contributions both in the literary world and to our school, so I still support awarding him the title of honorary doctorate."

Who is Donald Kennedy? Not only is he the president of Stanford University, he is also a famous neurobiologist, an academician of the National Academy of Sciences, and an academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has high prestige on the board of directors.

With Donald's words, everyone expressed their approval. Anyway, this is not a matter of great interest - for example, whether the annual budget of the university will increase or decrease the budget of a certain college.

If this is the case, it would be strange if everyone didn't fight to the death.

In the final vote, with more than half of the votes cast, Fang Minghua was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of Literature. Three days after Fang Minghua got the news,

Smith personally called Fang Minghua and not only told him about the donation ceremony, but also told him the good news.

"Mr. Minghua, after Mr. Hu Shi, you are another person who has received an honorary doctorate in literature from our American university." Smith said on the phone.

Oh my God

Never mention Hu Shi.

There are mixed reviews in our country.

Of course, Fang Minghua couldn't say that, but he still expressed his gratitude. After all, it was a pleasant thing.

Smith further told him that the award would be made at the upcoming summer graduation ceremony and that the donation ceremony could then take place.

Specific details and precautions will be sent to his inbox via email.

After the phone call ended, when Li Li came back from school in the afternoon, Fang Minghua told her the news.

Li Li was surprised and happy.

"Wow, I didn't expect that Stanford University would award you an honorary doctorate in literature! Congratulations!"

"Don't you think this is related to the 10 million US dollars I donated?" Fang Minghua asked with a smile.

"Well, it has something to do with it, but there is no doubt about your achievements in the field of literature!" Li Li replied, and then said with a smile:

"Originally, I wanted to propose that our school grant you an honorary doctorate in literature, but San Francisco State University's brand is not as strong as Stanford's."

"Come on. Don't do these fancy things. I really don't want to be like Hu Shi, who has 36 honorary doctorates. We don't have the ability." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

On July 9, Stanford University held its 107th graduation ceremony at Stanford Stadium, awarding a total of 1,080 bachelor's degrees, 1,803 master's degrees and 675 doctoral degrees. Fang Minghua, one of them, wore a red doctor's suit to receive the honor. Doctoral degree certificate.

After the graduation ceremony, Fang Minghua was invited to attend the donation ceremony held in the school conference room. James, the school's vice president, personally presented the honorary certificate to Fang Minghua and thanked him for his contribution to the school.

In addition to the school's relevant personnel, there were also about 60 international students from mainland China who attended the ceremony. They were all beneficiaries of the scholarship and were all excited.

Fang Minghua wore a short-sleeved shirt and a tie and made an impromptu speech in Chinese.

"All of you are excellent students from top universities in China, such as Tsinghua University, Yanda University, Fudan University, and Nankai University. You have received the best education in China and have come to this top university in the United States to continue your studies. I congratulate you."

"I also know that many of you, especially those who come to study at their own expense, have no intention of returning to China after graduation. To be honest, the working environment and salary here are much better than in China."

"Everyone has their own aspirations and cannot be forced, but I still sincerely hope that everyone will return to China to work after graduation. I have decided to set up a startup fund specifically for returned overseas students in China to provide the greatest help for everyone's life and work. The country is now in a period of rapid development and urgently needs high-quality talents like you."

Just as Fang Minghua was giving a speech at Stanford University, at Yanjing, Song Tangtang walked into the International Student Service Center at the Brilliant Times Building, No. 56, North Fourth Ring Road West, Haidian.