Dr. Shawn Chen ’87, founder and chairman of Sias University, will serve as speaker for Linfield University’s 2024 Commencement on May 26.
Chen, who holds a master’s in education from Linfield, went on to found Sias University in Zhengzhou, China. The university was designed to incorporate Western liberal arts traditions in a Chinese higher education setting. Since its founding in 1998, it has grown to more than 36,000 undergraduate students.
“Dr. Chen is a visionary, forward-thinking when it comes to providing for the education of students in China and beyond,” said Beth Concepción, Linfield’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. She and Chen met in September when a delegation of Linfield academic leaders traveled to Zhengzhou for their 2023 opening ceremonies. “We are so proud of how his Linfield education was a part of shaping his incredible work, which enriches the lives of tens of thousands of students.”
Just as the first time he stepped foot on campus, Chen anticipates a warm reception at the 2024 Linfield Commencement.
“I came to Linfield as an immigrant from another country, and everything was quite new,” Chen said. “The most impactful memory I have is how friendly and welcoming Linfield was. Within a short period, professors were inviting me to dinner. President (Charlie) Walker welcomed me to visit his beach house. That warm and kind environment is something I strive to maintain for Sias students.”
During the September 2023 trip to China, former President Miles K. Davis, Concepción and deans Gennie VanBeek and Jennifer Madden held in-depth discussions on possible future collaboration between Linfield and Sias.
They emerged with a memorandum of understanding that calls for the development of a joint-supervision dual degree program with a prospective launch of a small pilot in the fall of 2025. It also calls for explorations of mutual exchanges, including students, faculty, curriculum and more.
In addition to his work at Sias, Chen is president of the United Nations’ World Federation of United Nations Associations. WFUNA works to strengthen and improve the UN through training programs, events and partnerships, including all Model U.N. programs around the world. He is also president-elect of the International Association of University Presidents.
Read more:
Full Spring 2024 Commencement schedule
Linfield University embarks on partnership with Sias University in Zhengzhou, China
