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What's it like to have seven family members who are all Tianjin University alumni?

Ji Zenghua, a master student in the School of Marine Science and Technology in Tianjin University, boasts a family with an impressive lineup of Tianjin University alumna. His grandparents graduated from the Civil Engineering Department in 1957, his eldest uncle holds a master degree from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, his elder sister earned a master degree from the School of Architecture, and his second uncle and uncle-in-law are doctoral graduates of the School of Civil Engineering.

The legacy of Tianjin University runs through three generations of Ji’s family.

Grandparents’ Retrospective of Tianjin University

Ji’s grandparents,Zhang Shiqi and Hu Jian began the family's half-century bond with Tianjin University. They entered TJU in 1957. Fifty years after their graduation, Zhang and Hu gathered with their class and celebrated the 50th graduation anniversary together. 

Hu Jian put pen to paper, crafting over 30 pages of university memories entitled "A Retrospective of Tianjin University." Turning back the clock to 1957, when the admission letter from Tianjin University's Civil Engineering Department found its way to his hands as he tended to cabbage fields in his native Fangshan County, in the suburb of Beijing . The weight of that envelope felt profound in his hands - it marked the moment he became a Tianjin University student, and education would forever change the course of his life, and his family’s.

The graduation photo of Ji’s grandparents

“When I first arrived at Tianjin University, everything was a source of wonder. The campus comprised academic, residential, and recreational zones. We had very good sporting facilities like the stadium, swimming pool, and gymnastics hall,”Grandpa Hu recalled. For him, the food the campus canteen offered was most unforgettable, “I would say exceptional for a ked from the country side.”

He was also impressed with the university's investment in educational resources. “We have very advanced optical instruments for modern physics classes. The library also invested substantially each year, purchasing imported journals from various countries. We unanimously agree that the university showed unlimited commitment to cultivating top-tier talents.”

Ji’s grandparents’ academic life at TJU laid a solid foundation for other family members to follow suit and one after another became TJU alumni.

Ji's uncle donates a crabapple tree to the university.

This familial tradition fills Ji Zenghua with a strong sense of pride and motivates him to strive for excellence in his studies and life. He has stayed at TJU for seven years through undergraduate and postgraduate studies and was deeply influenced by the school's environment. Tianjin University provides students with an excellent learning and living environment, inspiring them to work harder.

Ji and his sister take a photo in front of the 9th building on Weijin Road campus.

This close connection between family and university fosters a deep affection for Tianjin University among Ji Zenghua and his family. Their memorable story also inspires other students to be down-to-earth, pursue academic excellence, and achieve success in their respective fields.

By Zang Yifan

Editor: Eva Yin