Grand Opening of Harvard’s Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center
May 19, 2016
Third Member in the Chao Family to be Awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree
January 18, 2017
A place for learning, sharing and engaging minds
- The article was originally posted on www.hbs.edu – https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/chao-topping-off-ceremony.aspx
A new, 90,000 square feet, four story building opened in the Harvard Business School (HBS) on June 6, 2016. What makes this educational facility particularly special is not just its modern and technologically advanced interior design, but also the fact that it is the first building on campus to be named after a woman and after someone of Asian-American descent.
The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center will play a pivotal role in fulfilling the mission and objectives of the HBS Executive Education Program, according to the School’s Dean, Dr. Nitin Nohria. The Center is named in honor of the late Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, wife of Dr. James S.C. Chao, founder of the international shipping company Foremost Group. Dr. Chao and his wife immigrated to America and set down roots anew in a foreign land, with virtually nothing in hand. Through determination and a humble spirit, they succeeded in raising six daughters and building a well-respected international company, becoming role models for the Asian-American community. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao’s advocacy for educational excellence, for access to educational opportunities and for developing creative ways to bridge cultural divides is her legacy, which will live on through the HBS Center named in her honor.
On hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony and to pay tribute to Ruth Mulan Chu Chao was a host of dignitaries, including the Governor of Massachusetts, Charles Baker, both US Senators for the State of Massachusetts, President of Harvard University Drew Gilpin Faust, HBS Dean Nitin Nohria, and members of the Chao family – including Dr. James S.C. Chao, and all of his daughters, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, May, Christine, Grace and Angela who now serves as Deputy Chair of Foremost Group. Speakers reflected upon the influence of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, particularly in the area of education. Angela Chao spoke warmly of her mother’s strength through humility, and the powerful way she had of making a positive impact on her environment. This sentiment was echoed by all of the sisters who hope that their mother’s vision of improving the world through dialogue will serve as an inspiration to tomorrow’s global leaders.
The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center was funded by a generous gift from Dr. James S.C. Chao and Chao family foundations.
