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Uniting Through Sports and Culture: NYU Alumni Home Unveiling and Basketball Team Welcome Reception
On August 14, 2024, the NYU alumni community came together for a memorable evening, marking the unveiling of the NYU Alumni Home in Shanghai. The ceremony was amplified by a lively welcome reception for the NYU Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, with around 80 participants adding excitement and camaraderie to the night, creating an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to connect and interact. The team also received a boost of morale ahead of their much-anticipated friendly match against Shanghai Jiaotong University on August 16, 2024.
The evening featured notable guests, including Mr. Ding Jinsong, founder and chairman of Shanghai HiTime Real Estate (Group) Co., Ltd., a long-time member of the NYU Board of Trustees, director of the NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation Board and a former NYU parent. He was joined by Chancellor Tong Shijun, Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehmen, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students David Pe, and Mr. Rico Fu, President of the NYU Alumni Club in Shanghai. Together, they celebrated the unveiling of the Alumni Home, located at the HiTime Arts Center, which will serve as a place for the community to connect and strengthen their ties.
Vice Chancellor Lehmen set the tone for the evening with an introduction of Mr. Ding, highlighting his deep connection with NYU and NYU Shanghai. He expressed gratitude to Mr. Ding and the executives from HiTime Real Estate for their generosity in providing the Alumni Home, stating, “this special space here in the historic Hongkou district of Shanghai enables NYU Shanghai to create memorable experiences for the community and the greater global NYU network. The decision by Mr. Ding and HiTime Real Estate to allow us to use this space is just one of many examples of their commitment to supporting our mission.“
Chancellor Tong captivated the audience as he reflected on his roots in Shanghai and the city’s remarkable transformation over the years. As a local, he extended a personal invitation to guests offering to share more about the city’s rich culture and history. He noted how his time spent with the basketball team reaffirmed his belief that sports can be a powerful tool for bringing cultures and people together.
Mr. Fu provided an overview of the NYU Alumni community in Shanghai, which boasts around 2,200 members. He highlighted their active participation as one of the 91 NYU alumni clubs across the globe and celebrated the achievement of being awarded the “Club of Distinction” by the NYU Alumni Association. He extended his thanks to Mr. Ding for providing such a beautiful venue for the Alumni Home, noting how it will help promote NYU’s shared value and culture in Shanghai.
Warmly welcoming the NYU basketball team to Shanghai, Mr. Ding expressed his hope that their stay in the city had been fruitful. Regarding the friendly match with Shanghai JiaoTong University, he remarked, “It is a competition, but the more important thing is the friendship and the exchange that you will have from this friendly match.” He also shared his vision for the NYU Alumni Home, saying, “this NYU Alumni Home is intended to be a place where NYU faculty, staff, students, and alumni in Shanghai can gather, engage in better communication, and strengthen their friendships."
As a highlight of the ceremony, Mr. Ding and Mr. Jason Pina, Senior Vice President for University Life at NYU, unveiled the Alumni Home plaque, marking a symbolic start of the Alumni Home in Shanghai. To honor Mr. Ding’s generous contributions to the University, Mr. Pina, joined by representatives from the NYU basketball team, presented him with a signed NYU jersey as a token of appreciation for his unwavering support. The event concluded with a reception where guests enjoyed the opportunity to mingle and celebrate together.
More event photos below:
