Happy Birthday, National Chung Cheng University! Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Chung Cheng University received warm wishes from various distinguished guests. The revered Shennong Emperor (God of Grains) of Gufong Temple in Minxiong, known as the “Doctor of Divinity,” an honorary degree from Chung Cheng University, also attended the opening ceremony, offering blessings to the university to “thrive brilliantly in its 35th year and continue writing new chapters.”

President Shaw-Jenq Tsai stated that it is a great joy to gather today and celebrate Chung Cheng University’s 35th anniversary. Since its founding, the university has upheld its motto, “Embrace Innovation, Cultivate Virtue to Enrich Lives,” striving for excellence across academic research, social service, and cultural preservation. Thirty-five years ago, Chung Cheng University stood on 130 hectares of land filled with wild grass and sugarcane. Today, it has grown into one of the most beautiful campuses in Taiwan and a top international university.

The opening ceremony of this year’s anniversary sports event featured the revered Shennong Emperor from Gufong Temple, who, accompanied by the athletes, paraded around the field amid the beating of drums. Teachers and students alike took this opportunity to express their gratitude and respect to Gufong Temple for donating the land for the university’s establishment. Additionally, a prestigious award ceremony was held, where President Tsai presented medals to alumnus Hsiang-Wen Hsiao, who won Taiwan’s first-ever taekwondo medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games, and his coach, Associate Professor Yen-Ni Wu of the Department of Athletic Sports. Their arrival on the stage was met with enthusiastic cheers and shared pride. Other invited distinguished guests included Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare Chien-Te Lu, Academia Sinica Academician Chih-Liang Tseng, Director of the Department of Smart City at Chiayi City Government Hsuan-Chih Kuo, Deputy Director of the Department of Education at Chiayi County Government Ting-Yu Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Education at Yunlin County Government Hui-Jung Lin, and Minxiong Township Mayor Yu-Ling Lin.

The creative team entrance performance by various departments and colleges added to the event’s splendor. Students presented cheers, dances, and meticulously crafted props to celebrate the university’s anniversary. As the music played, the students in each department and college waved and danced, showcasing the spirit and vitality of Chung Cheng. Alumni also joined, with graduates performing the popular "16-squat" dance with radiant smiles, bringing an extra burst of energy to the event.

According to the Sports Center, this year’s sports day included not only a creative cheerleading competition but also a New Southbound Badminton Tournament, fostering international exchange with students from Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries. Shao-Hsuan Chiu from the Department of Sport and Leisure took the oath on behalf of the athletes, and seniors Hung-Hsun Chung from the Department of Athletic Sports and Yuan-Ting Chung from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering represented the university in the torch relay. These students, who have achieved outstanding results in college volleyball and cheerleading competitions, served as role models in sportsmanship.

The closing ceremony in the evening promised to be the highlight of the anniversary sports day, featuring the award ceremony for various competitions and an exhilarating performance by the varsity competitive cheerleading team. The final event was the highly anticipated fireworks display at 7 p.m., lighting up the night and live-streamed online, as everyone joined in cheering for Chung Cheng University’s continued success!