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Purdue University Chinese Students collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 155

Scope and Contents

The Purdue University Chinese Students collection documents the Chinese Students' Alliance Conference, Mid-West Section, hosted by Purdue University in 1921 and 1925.  The collection consists of various brochures and programs from the conferences. Other material included is a "Chinese Students at Purdue" brochure; a 1927 Purdue University Chinese Students' yearbook; a booklet, in Chinese, used to recruit potential Chinese students in 1930 and correspondence between the Purdue Club of China (P.S. Wu, secretary-treasurer) and W.M. Hepburn, Librarian, in regards to a donation by the club to the Purdue University Library of Millard's Review.

Types of materials include: booklets, brochures, correspondence, programs and a yearbook.

Dates

  • 1920 - 1961

Language of Materials

Collection material is primarily in English. Chinese is also present.

Access Information

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

The Chinese Students’ Alliance was a nationwide organization of Chinese students studying in the United States, the first nation to which modern China sent students for an education. The first students were 30 boys, arriving in 1872. The numbers of visiting students remained small until 1909 when the United States began sending Boxer Indemnity funds to China. By 1915 there were more than 1,200 Chinese students in the United States, 800 of these students in colleges and universities formed the membership of the Chinese Students' Alliance. The alliance published the Chinese Students' Monthly in the United States and the Chinese Students' Quarterly, a Chinese language journal, in Shanghai.

The Alliance was divided into 3 sections; the Eastern, Midwest and Western. Each section was composed of a number of local Chinese Students’ Clubs. Each year during early September, an annual summer conference was held by each section at some convenient location for the purpose of bringing the Chinese students together to exchange ideas and discuss important problems. The three conferences were held at the same time but in difference locations. The length of the conferences varied from one to two weeks, and the grounds at which they were held were usually universities of fame, where the facilities could accommodate the purposes of the conference. Purdue University was the site of the 12th Mid-West Conference in 1921 and the 16th in 1925.

The conferences proved themselves to be of great value to the Chinese students. It gave them the opportunity of making acquaintances with their fellow-countrymen and of freely exchanging ideas, which they were unable to do during their school work. It also afforded better understanding between the American people and the Chinese. The Chinese Students’ Alliance was active until 1931.

Citations

  1. Burg, David F. "Chinese Students' Alliance." Encyclopedia of Student and Youth Movements. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1998. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 17 June 2014.
  2. Yu, C.C. “The Chinese Students’ Alliance in the United States.” Young China, July 1921. Web. 17 June 2014.
  3. Bevis, Teresa Brawner. “The Chinese Students’ Alliance.” A History of Higher Education Exchange: China and America. New York : Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2013. Web. 17 June 2014.
  4. Purdue University. Chinese Students' Club. Alumni Committee. (1924). The Chinese students at Purdue. LaFayette, Ind.: Purdue University.

Extent

0.20 Cubic Feet (One letter-size half-width manuscript box)

Arrangement

Collection material is arranged in chronological order.

Acquisition Information

Source and date of acquisition are unknown.

Processing Information

All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and an acid-free box.
Title
Purdue University Chinese Students collection
Status
Completed
Author
Mary A. Sego
Date
2019-02-14
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Second edition. Collection description first completed 2014-06-16.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839