At Kuliang in Fuzhou city, Fujian province, a teacher from Hwa Nan Women's College explains the Chinese character that means "bond" to a group of students and teachers from the University of Puget Sound, the U.S. [Photo/fznews.com.cn]

At the invitation of Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College, a delegation from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, visited Kuliang in Fuzhou city late last month to renew the bonds between the two schools.

Serene Kuliang in Fujian province, with its invigorating summer breeze, welcomed the visitors on July 28. Thanks to the efforts of Gordon Trimble, one of the "Kuliang Friends", and his wife Sonia, a group of seven faculty and students from the University of Puget Sound, along with their counterparts from Hwa Nan Women's College, traveled to the Zhuli area and the historic residence of Lydia Trimble. There they delved into the history of the place, enjoyed a family-style meal, and further cemented their bonds with one another.

Zhuli in Kuliang is renowned for the spectacular sights it offers at dawn. A century ago, it was a favored retreat for foreigners, who built summer villas there, choosing the area's lush forests for leisurely pursuits, camping and picnics.

"Kuliang is like a Chinese ink painting, so breathtakingly beautiful," said Jonathan Stockdale, a professor of Asian religion and culture at the University of Puget Sound, who goes by the Chinese name Shi Daochen.

"This valley leads to the Minjiang River, which ultimately flows into the Pacific Ocean," he added.

"Standing here feels like being in a Chinese landscape painting, thinking of my home from afar."

The relationship between the two schools can be traced back through five generations of the Trimble family. Lydia Trimble, Gordon's great-aunt, made the long trip to China to establish four schools for girls, including the South China Women's College (the predecessor of Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College) in 1908, blazing a trail for modern higher education for women in Fujian. Garnet Trimble, Gordon's grandfather, followed in his aunt's footsteps, practicing medicine in Nanping, while his son Robert was born and raised in China, and had fond childhood memories of the country.

Back in the United States, Garnet served as an athletics physician at the University of Puget Sound for many years. Meanwhile, Robert, a successful businessman and distinguished alumnus, established the Trimble Foundation to fund educational infrastructure, support Asian cultural studies and foster cultural exchanges with China. Today, there is a Trimble Hall at both Hwa Nan Women's College and the University of Puget Sound.

In 1994, the cities of Fuzhou and Tacoma were twinned, and as a result, Hwa Nan Women's College and the University of Puget Sound initiated exchange programs. The Trimble family's efforts have sustained and enriched the exchanges and mutual visits between the two sister schools. After his retirement, Gordon volunteered as an educator at Hwa Nan Women's College, and since 1994, the University of Puget Sound has been sending its graduates to teach there, with the Trimble Foundation covering all expenses.

Cheng Mingxi, a faculty member from Hwa Nan Women's College, recounted the Trimble Foundation's sponsorship of four delegations from the University of Puget Sound, totaling nearly 100 participants, who visited Fujian and forged profound friendships there.

"We eagerly anticipate the arrival of the 20th teacher from the University of Puget Sound in September," said Cheng.

The eight-day academic and cultural visit to Fujian by University of Puget Sound faculty and students will include visits to Quanzhou and Fuzhou, with further exploration of the Kuliang Families Story Museum and lectures on the legacy of Kuliang's friendships.