DSU participates in Ningbo Univ. of Technology Commencement

For the fourth consecutive year, DSU officials participated in the Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT) Commencement Ceremony where 93 graduates of the DSU-NBUT joint Accounting Program received their diplomas.

However, for the first time in the partnership, DSU was invited to take part in NBUT’s Commencement Ceremony for its entire 2018 graduating class of 3,405 students.

Held June 22 at the NBUT Sports Gymnasium, DSU President Wilma Mishoe and DSU Board of Trustees Chairwoman Devona Williams sat in their regalia robes and caps on the Commencement stage with NBUT President Lyn Zhongda and his other administrators. Instead of just addressing the Accounting Program, President Mishoe gave a speech to the entire graduating class.

Dr. Mishoe spoke of the “extraordinary relationship” between the two institutions.

“The relationship is a model for our universities, and dare I say, for any university in the world,” the DSU president said. “Perhaps more importantly, it is the best example of the importance of Chinese and American relationships and what can happen when both of our countries come together and do good.”

Dr. Mishoe urged the graduates to take full advantage of the educational and career opportunities that are ahead and challenged them to continue to be lifelong learners.

“Be patient. Be like a strong tree, rooted with a firm foundation,” she said. “Grow your branches, spread your limbs and allow your leaves to absorb the sun. Be flexible as the wind blows and remain strong in all that you do.”

Dr. Mishoe added that the graduates should strive to inspire others to achieve what they have succeeded in now, as well as in the future.

After the mass ceremony, a separate ceremony was held for the Accounting Program graduates. Dr. Mishoe and Dr. Williams, along with Dr. Youngsik Kwak, DSU professor of accounting, joined Dr. Lyn and Dr. Nie Tony, dean of the NBUT College of International Exchange, in individually presenting the diplomas and congratulating each graduate.

Since 2011, the joint partnership has enabled NBUT students enroll in the DSU-NBUT Accounting Program, in which they can take the classes in Ningbo taught by visiting DSU faculty, or they can travel to DSU and take classes on the Dover main campus.

After the Commencement ceremony, the DSU delegation had lunch with Chinese Party Secretary Su Shigang, Dr. Nie, and Jinghua Wanta, the NBUT vice president who officiated the mass commencement ceremony. The DSU officials then departed to fly to Changchun and then travel from by bus to Beihua University in Jilin for their next day’s activities.