2023.10.06

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan hosted a ceremony on October 6th, 2023 to confer an honorary Doctorate in Literature (D.Litt.) upon Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵), a prominent scholar of contemporary Chinese literature.
 
This esteemed accolade recognizes Lee's outstanding contributions to the study of modern Chinese literature and culture. Moreover, in the lecture given by Lee on October 11th, students had the valuable opportunity to learn from his extensive knowledge and expertise.
 
Lee grew up and received his education in Hsinchu. His father, Mr. Yong-gang Lee (李永剛), was formerly a faculty member in the Department of Music at the National Hsinchu University of Education (NHCUE), which merged with NTHU in 2016.
 
At the gathering on October 6th, students from NTHU's Department of Music delivered an impressive performance of two pieces composed by Lee's father: "Song of Alishan" and "Seagull in the Sky." The event marked a deeply emotional musical reunion between father and son.
 
Lee conveyed his profound gratitude to NTHU for bestowing upon him this esteemed honor. He also spoke of his strong connection to Hsinchu. Lee mentioned that he came to Taiwan from Fuzhou with his parents when he was young, and it was at the playground of NHCUE, where his father worked, that he experienced his initial moments of enlightenment.
 
With heartfelt emotion, Lee stated, "As time passes, memories accumulate, much like the layers on aged parchment. I feel a deep connection to this place, where the land has its own spirit and personality; there is a shared bond between people and the land."
 
President W. John Kao (高為元) conveyed his great honor in conferring upon Lee, a fellow of Academia Sinica, the highest recognition from NTHU. He emphasized that "Lee is a modern luminary hailing from Hsinchu, embodying a global perspective deeply rooted in his hometown. We are immensely delighted to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to him!"
 
Lee earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University and has lectured at esteemed institutions such as Princeton University, Indiana University, the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
 
He has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades, including his election as an Academician of Academia Sinica, holding an Honorary Chair at NTHU and receiving an Honorary Doctorate in the Humanities from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
 
Dean Cho-ying Li (李卓穎) from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, who nominated Lee for the honorary doctorate, represented NTHU in delivering the commendation for Lee. During the commendation, Dean Li emphasized Lee's eminent status and extensive scholarly impact on the study of modern Chinese literature.
 
He also noted that Lee's research covers a range of subjects including modernism, humanism, translation, and urban culture in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, establishing him as a versatile and multi-disciplinary academic.
 
Dean Li praised Lee for his innovative research on writers such as Lu Xun (魯迅) and Eileen Chang (張愛玲), which has transformed the methodologies used to study modern Chinese literature.
 
Dean Li noted that Lee's studies have sparked fresh perspectives on literary analysis in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Consequently, his influence on the global academic community is profound and significant.
 
Lee's close friends said that he has spared no effort in nurturing younger generations. A case in point is Professor Kean-fung Guan (顏健富) from NTHU's Department of Chinese Literature, who received the 2016 Academia Sinica Junior Research Investigators Award thanks to Lee's strong support.
 
Over the past few years, prestigious universities have been actively inviting Lee to give lectures. In spite of his seniority, Lee embraces these chances and accepts the invitations. He even noted, "Interacting with young scholars in academic discussions invigorates me rather than wearing me down.
 
A long-term Hong Kong resident, Lee is currently in Taiwan for a 16-day visit, marking his 84th birthday here. NTHU is hosting an exhibition featuring Lee's writings and manuscripts on the first floor of the main library in the Macronix Building from October 2nd to 22nd, 2023.
 
The exhibit displays a total of 65 of his works in both Chinese and English, including titles such as Shanghai Modern: The Flowering of a New Urban Culture in China, 1930-1945, Imaginations of the Modern: From the Late Qing to the May Fourth, and the recently released My Twentieth Century: A Memoir of Leo Ou-Fan Lee. Moreover, there are four original manuscripts on exhibit as well.

NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) (left) presenting an honorary doctoral degree to Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵).

President W. John Kao (高為元) (left) conferring an honorary doctoral degree to Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵). Dr. Lee's wife, Esther Yuk-ying Lee (李玉瑩), and Dean Cho-ying Li (李卓穎) from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, who put forward Dr. Lee's nomination, were also present to witness this momentous occasion.

NTHU conferred an honorary Doctorate in Literature upon Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵).

Student representatives from NTHU offering flowers to Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) and his wife, Esther Yuk-ying Lee (李玉瑩).

The students from NTHU's Department of Music performing a song titled "Seagull in the Sky," composed by Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee's (李歐梵) father, Mr. Yong-gang Lee (李永剛).

The students from NTHU's Department of Music performing a song titled "Song of Alishan," composed by Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee's (李歐梵) father, Mr. Yong-gang Lee (李永剛).

NTHU professors applauding and welcoming Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) to join the NTHU family as an honorary doctorate recipient.

Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) was granted an honorary doctorate by NTHU. Esteemed scholars, cultural figures, and intimate associates gathered to offer their congratulations.

Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) was granted an honorary doctorate by NTHU. Esteemed scholars, cultural figures, and intimate associates gathered to offer their congratulations.

During the honorary doctorate ceremony, Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) (left) joyfully met up with his longtime friend, Mr. Hsing-mao Chan (詹行懋), who had been his classmate at Taiwan Provincial Hsinchu High School for six years.

Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) and his wife, Esther Yuk-ying Lee (李玉瑩), were present at the current exhibition featuring Dr. Lee's writings and manuscripts, organized by the main library of NTHU.

Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee (李歐梵) signing the title page of his work, Discourses from the Fox Burrow, which is part of the collection at NTHU's library.

An exhibition of Dr. Leo Ou-fan Lee's (李歐梵) works and manuscripts on the first floor of the main library in the Macronix Building at NTHU.