As the Lunar New Year approached, the Atlanta Chapter of the RUC North America Alumni Association (RUC-NAAA) successfully hosted its 2024 Lunar New Year Gathering on February 4. Despite the rainy weather, nearly 30 alumni came together in Atlanta and enthusiastically took part in the celebration.
From alumni who entered Renmin University in 1978 to those who entered in 2019, the gathering brought together generations spanning more than four decades, painting a diverse and vibrant portrait of the RUC alumni community.
More than simply a reunion, the luncheon served as a meaningful opening to the chapter’s activities for the year, kicking off a series of alumni events planned for 2024. During the gathering, alumni took turns introducing themselves, recalling fond memories of their years at RUC, and sharing their experiences and plans for studying, working, and living in Atlanta.
One particularly warm memory was the alumni association’s distribution of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, a reminder of the support and care the association provided to alumni during a challenging time.
From left: Yue Jingsheng, Xu Junjun, and Dawson Lee
Xu Junjun, President of the Atlanta Chapter and a member of the Class of 2011, extended New Year greetings to all those in attendance on behalf of the chapter and warmly welcomed newly joined alumni. He emphasized the role of the alumni association as a bridge and platform — helping younger alumni navigate their studies and careers while connecting alumni with one another and creating opportunities to generate greater value together.
Dawson Lee, Chairman of RUC-NAAA and a member of the Class of 1982, shared his personal journey from studying at RUC to starting a business in North America and building a successful career. He expressed his best wishes for the continued development of the alumni association. His story inspired fellow alumni and demonstrated how perseverance and dedication can turn aspirations into achievements.
Yue Jingsheng, a Board Member of RUC-NAAA and a member of the Class of 1986, introduced the alumni association’s signature event, the Mingde Forum. He also looked back on a 2018 discussion jointly organized with the Carter Center to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. These initiatives not only demonstrate the depth of the alumni association’s activities, but also reflect the efforts of RUC alumni to promote cultural exchange and understanding between China and the United States.
The Lunar New Year gathering was not only a reflection on the past, but also a look toward the future. The Atlanta Chapter of RUC-NAAA pledged to continue organizing more activities with both warmth and substance, strengthening connections among alumni while providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
As the largest RUC alumni organization in the southeastern United States, the Atlanta Chapter will continue to play a distinctive role — providing support and resources to alumni while working together with other alumni associations and community organizations in the region to make positive contributions to the broader Chinese-American community.
In the new year, the Atlanta Chapter looks forward to moving ahead together with all RUC alumni, continuing to build connections and create new opportunities. The chapter welcomes more alumni to join and participate, and looks forward to sharing in and creating many more memorable moments together.
