“It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man.” Under the alumni’s active action of gathering, the donation of 111 pine trees was initiated in National Chung Cheng University (CCU). On November 14, 2022, Dr. Zhang-Hua Fong, President of CCU and Mr. Mao-Lin Shih, former Minister of Justice joined hands in holding the tree planting ceremony, whilst bringing a new look to the campus, also contributing to the prevention of global warming. Planting trees and also planting hope, a century of prosperity is greatly anticipated for CCU.  

CCU Office Of General Affairs stated that the donation of pine tree saplings was initiated by Mr. Ming-Ren Yu (余明仁), alumnus of CCU Graduate Institute of Education and Director of General Affairs of Liuhe Elementary School in Yunlin County, planting 111 black pines between CCU’s Library and CCU College of Sciences. During the tree planting ceremony, CCU’s honored President, Dr. Zhang-Hua Fong, former Minister of Justice, Mr. Mao-Lin Shih and his wife, Mrs. Mei-Hui Wu (吳美惠) led teachers of CCU and other honored guests to scoop up potting soil and pour it on pines trees, symbolizing the pines officially taking root on the campus. 

 “The main purpose of the school is to educate, and the school library is the place with the best geomancy. With the pine trees planted, it is hoped that students can come pass by whenever they feel tired after studying, and earn better inspiration in both academic performances and research studies.”, said Dr. Zhang-Hua Fong, expressing his thanks to Mr. Mao-Lin Shih and alumni for the special care given to CCU. Dr. Fong also thanked Mr. Shih, local residents and his friends for their joint support, looking forward to building a better connection between CCU and the local community.

 “To me, CCU has the most overwhelming attractiveness.” Mr. Mao-Lin Shih said, with his hometown located near CCU, he has lived and grown up here in Minxiong since childhood, and thus not only familiar with but also misses Minxiong a lot. With his own daughter and even children of his brothers and other relatives also being alumni of CCU, Mr. Mao-Lin Shih said he has benefited from CCU greatly. He also mentioned, during his time as Minister of Justice, he held several seminars and forums with CCU Department of Law, Department of psychology and Department of Social Welfare and is therefore deeply impressed with how CCU runs the school. 

Mr. Mao-Lin Shih, who enjoys mountain climbing and tree observing for many years, pointed out that each tree has its own distinguishing features. Especially pine trees which Confucius praises highly of, are the last to wither during the long cold winter, hence symbolizing perseverance and steadfastness. Through the donation, Mr. Mao-Lin Shih hopes to guide students to understand the importance of standing firm and provide inspiration. In addition, he also believes that there is a reason for schools to emphasize on adaptive teaching, and intends to take this as an opportunity to show his care and give back to CCU.

CCU stated that November 11 of the 111th year of the Republic of China coincidently fell upon this year (which will be marked as 111/11/11), and with this occasion, Mr. Ming-Ren Yu (余明仁) specially took the meaning of the year, donating the exact amount of 111 saplings with the concept of “Education being the one and only.” This donation not only gives back to the alma mater for its longtime cultivation, but also aims to slow down global warming in the same time of embellishing the campus and establishing Centennial Black Pine Boulevard.