[News]Scholar, Poet and Professor – A series of exhibitions paying homage to “Mr. Big” opens with the exhibition approaching Gu Yuxiu! -Nanjing University Library

On the morning of November 20, “Scholar, Poet and Professor – A Tribute to ‘Mr. Big’ Series Exhibition – Approaching Gu Yuxiu” was officially opened in the library of Nanjing University‘s Drum Tower Campus. Min Tiejun, executive deputy director of the Campus Relations Working Committee of Nanjing University and former vice president of Nanjing University, Jiang Enming, secretary of the Party Committee of the New College, Niu Shanyuan, a teacher who returned from studying abroad in the School of Modern Engineering and Applied Sciences, Rui Fuhong and Deng Zeyan, teachers of Yuxiu College, and Yuxiu College, Architecture and Representatives of teachers and students from the School of Urban Planning and the Library attended the opening ceremony. Huang Xianjin, Director of Nanjing University Library, hosted the event.

In his speech, Min Tiejun said that Mr. Gu Yuxiu was a university student who was dedicated to his studies, work, and people. The pictures and objects on display this time reproduce his legendary life and extraordinary achievements, and can relive his deep feelings for NTU. Gu Yuxiu combines many identities and is a universally recognized master of arts and sciences. He has performed many patriotic actions. He participated in the May 4th Movement in his early years and participated in disaster relief. During the Anti-Japanese War, he engaged in education work, developed and sent gas masks to the front lines, etc. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, he contributed to the peaceful reunification of the motherland and the improvement of Sino-US relations. Gu Yuxiu has a deep connection with Nanjing University. During his westward migration, he took charge of the University to develop education, practice its unique educational philosophy, cultivate a scholarly spirit, and inspire students. He lives a frugal life and is charitable and offers scholarships to NTU. The spirit of serving the country with science and serving the country with education that Gu Yuxiu displayed throughout his life is a precious asset of NTU, and “Yuxiu Academy” is named after him. This round of “Mr. Big” exhibition is a concrete manifestation of the requirements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council to “vigorously promote the spirit of educators and accelerate the construction of an educational power.” Min Tiejun hopes that teachers will learn from “Mr. Big”‘s dedication to serving the country through science and education, and students will learn ” The innocent sentiments, academic realm and cultural sentiments of Mr. Da have contributed to the rejuvenation of the nation.

Niu Shanyuan expressed his admiration for Gu Yuxiu. In Niu Shanyuan’s view, Gu Yuxiu is not only an outstanding master of arts and sciences, but also has made outstanding achievements in many fields such as science: at the age of 24, he published a general solution to the fourth-order equation, won the “Lamb” gold medal for “Gu’s variables”, and laid the foundation for modern motor analysis. He is a role model for studying abroad and serving the country. After earning three degrees at MIT in four and a half years, he returned to China and devoted himself to saving the country. Touched by Gu Yuxiu’s deeds, Niu Shanyuan went to the United States to study and draw strength from his spirit in difficult times. After returning to China, he was guided by his spirit and actively worked in scientific research innovation, application, teaching and educating people. Niu Shanyuan said that facing the future, young teachers and scientific researchers should follow Gu Yuxiu as a role model, cultivate people with moral integrity, be enterprising in scientific research, and contribute to the construction of NTU and the development of national science and technology.

Yuan Shuyi, student representative of the 2023 Architecture and Planning Experimental Class and head of Gu Yuxiu’s lecture group, expressed his admiration for Gu Yuxiu. As a 2023 undergraduate student of Nanjing University, Yuan Shuyi was deeply shocked by the legendary life and spirit of Mr. Gu Yuxiu at Yuxiu Academy in the past year, and improved himself under his spiritual guidance. Many of his works vividly present his image of “being proficient in theory and knowledgeable in literature” and have become a beacon of life for college students. In July 2024, the college established the “Gu Yuxiu Lecturer Group” to carry forward Yuxiu’s spirit in the new era through various forms. The lecturer group developed a series of micro courses around Mr. Gu Yuxiu’s achievements in various fields and contributions to the motherland and Nanjing University, and used stories to outline Mr. Gu Yuxiu’s century-old life. Pay attention to the combination of theory and practice. The opening of Gu Yuxiu’s exhibition provides a new opportunity. The lecturer team will enrich the lecture format based on the content of the exhibition to enhance the academy students’ understanding of Gu Yuxiu. Yuan Shuyi said that as a young man of NTU and a student of Yuxiu College, he should learn from his teacher and contribute to the inheritance of Yuxiu spirit.

At the opening ceremony, Jiang Enming awarded the “‘College Student Exhibition’ College Reading Promoter” certificate to Deng Zeyan of Yuxiu College, Xinsheng College. After Min Tiejun and Jiang Enming jointly unveiled the “Mr. Gu Yuxiu Exhibition”, Min Tiejun announced the official opening of the series of exhibitions paying tribute to “Mr. Gu”.

Teachers and students of Yuxiu Academy took a group photo with guests attending the opening ceremony

After the opening ceremony, the participants visited the exhibition under the guidance of Liu Chaoran, a 2022 undergraduate student from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

It is reported that the series of exhibitions paying tribute to “Mr. Big” is an effort by the Nanjing University Library to actively promote the integration of “three comprehensive education” in library work. It uses the library’s advantages in information resources, talent training, and cultural education to unite new students. A series of exhibitions organized by the seven colleges and major departments of the college. Since November 2022, this series of exhibitions has successfully completed two rounds of exhibitions to pay tribute to seven university students, Gu Yuxiu, Guo Bingwen, Tao Xingzhi, Wu Youxun, Dai Anbang, Cheng Kaijia, and Wu Jianxiong, and has attracted tens of thousands of teachers and students to visit. The “Introduction to Gu Yuxiu” exhibition in the series of exhibitions paying tribute to “Mr. Da” was jointly organized by Yuxiu Academy, library, archives, relevant work committee, Wuxi Donglin Academy and the Former Residence Management Center of Celebrities. It aims to display Mr. Da in a more in-depth way. Their lives and experiences will guide teachers and students to better understand and inherit their patriotism, scientific spirit and dedication, establish a sense of responsibility and mission, shoulder the important responsibilities of the times, gather NTU-style forge ahead, and integrate their own development into the realization of national rejuvenation. , the great historical process of national prosperity and strength.

(Author: Qian Xingchen)

What are the⁢ key values that Yuan⁢ Shuyi ⁤believes Gu Yuxiu instills in college students, and⁣ how do they influence their development?

Questions about​ the article:

1. As a student ‌representative, what is Yuan Shuyi’s opinion​ of Gu Yuxiu’s influence on the college students?

2.​ What specific achievements and contributions of Gu Yuxiu have inspired the establishment‍ of the “Gu Yuxiu Lecturer Group”?

3. ⁣How⁤ does the content of the ‍exhibition relate to the development of the new generation ‌of architects and urban planners at Nanjing University?

4. What impact do you think exhibitions like ⁢these have on promoting cultural education ‍and preserving ⁣historical figures’ legacies in universities?

5. Can you discuss the importance of Yuxiu College’s efforts in ⁤integrating “three comprehensive education” into ⁣their work, and how these exhibitions contribute to that ‌goal?

6. As a ⁣2023 undergraduate student, what‍ do you⁣ hope to learn from⁤ Mr. Gu Yuxiu’s⁤ spirit and what is your personal plan to contribute to the inheritance ​of ‍Yuxiu ⁢culture?