Dr. Theodore Hsi-en Chen’s Life and Career at USC
The following excerpt is from a short biography about Dr. Chen written by Deng Biyu in Chinese and published in Fujian Literature and History (1987, 135-158). The English translation is conducted by Min Chen, Dr. Chen's niece. See the full text (http://chengrob.com/blog/theodore-chen/theodore-cheng-life-story/).
"Professor Chen Hsi-En is a native of Fuzhou, Fujian Province. He was born at the family home on Aofong Square in Fuzhou on July 14, 1902. After graduating from Gezhi high school, he was admitted to Fujian Christian University (FCU). Because of his outstanding achievement in English, Professor Xu Guang Rong selected him as an English tutor. After graduating from FCU, he was hired at Yinghua Middle School to teach English. Working there for two years, he was well received by the teachers and won his students admiration. In the autumn of 1924, he went to graduate school of Teachers College in Columbia University in the United States as an apprentice to Dewey and Kilpatrick. Due to poor health, he did not complete his doctorate. In 1929, he returned to FCU to work as professor of education and director of education and discipline. In 1937, seven days before the Marco Polo Bridge incident, Professor Chen took his family to the United States to continue his unfinished doctorate. This was the second time he had come to America. He enrolled at the University of Southern California. Due to his outstanding performance, the professors all liked him very much. In 1938 he was hired to teach the “comparative education” course. In 1939, he received his doctoral degree and was appointed professor of education. During his residency in the United States, the Japanese launched a large-scale invasion of China. In response, he gave inspiring patriotic speeches everywhere in the United States to help people understand the truth of the Japanese invasion of China, helping to win the American people’s sympathy and support for our country. He left his footprints throughout the United States, becoming a famous public speaker. At the end of 1946, FCU President Lin Jingrun was sent to the United States for medical treatment due to liver cancer. The school Board of Directors invited Prof. Chen to return to China to serve as acting president. Unfortunately, President Lin Jingrun died in the United States. The Board and the students asked Professor Chen to take over as permanent president. Having asked for only one year of leave from USC, Professor Chen could not accept. As planned, he returned to USC in July of 1947, continuing his work as a Professor and Head of the Asian Culture Department and as Director of the East Asian Cultural Center. Professor Chen taught at USC for over 30 years, retiring in 1974."