Ciemins, May Jewel Gong
Biographical Information
Dr. May Jewel Gong Ciemins was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where her family settled after emigrating from China in 1916. Gong attended Purdue University in 1951 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.
Gong, a skilled clarinet player, tried to join the Military Band while at Purdue but was initially denied by then conductor Spotts Emrick, as the band was just for men. Gong insisted that Emrick hear her play and afterwards, Emrick admitted her as the first woman and first Asian American woman on the Purdue Military Band. After Emrick's retirement, Gong was involved in Al Wright's appointment as the new conductor, who she had played under while in Miami.
In her freshman year, Gong participated in RUSH but later found out the campus sororities were only for white women. For the next two years, Gong stayed in Wood Hall and by her junior year, the Delta Gamma sorority had changed their bylaws, permitting her to join the sorority.
After graduating from Purdue in 1955, Gong earned a Fulbright Fellowship and went to Germany. This fellowship inspired Gong to pursue a career in medicine and upon returning, Gong applied to medical school. Gong completed her medical degree at the University of Miami in 1962 and went into pediatrics. She later specialized in radiology at the University of Pensylvannia and practiced in Ohio, where she later pursued a fellowship in neuroradiology.
Gong married twice, her second marriage occuring in 1996. Gong Ciemins retired at age 70 but continued to play clarinet, receiving instruction from players on the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and playing on the Rocky River Chamber Music Society for 10 years. She continues to play clarinet.