Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1991

University of Pittsburgh (1969), and University of Western Ontario (1970). He was elected honorary member of the International Mark Twain Society in 1977 and awarded the Elsie and Walter A. Haas International Award (1974 )， to be followed by the Clark Kerr Award (1980 )， both by the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. L i was also Life Fellow of the Royal Economic Society and the Royal Society of Arts. He received from the Queen the CBE (Hon) in 1967 and KBE (Hon) in 1973. In recognition of his monumental contributions to this institution, The Chinese University conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws, honoris causa, in 1978 ， and named the building for the basic medical sciences after him. ' I well remember how deeply moved I was to see the very first graduate stand before the chancellor for the conferment of the degree.' Gardener of the University A l l these honours Dr. L i truly deserved, but what gave him the greatest consolation and satisfaction was knowing that his efforts in nurturing the young scholars were not made in vain. He said, ‘I well remember how deeply moved I was to see the very first graduate stand before the chancellor for the conferment of the degree.' At the farewell party for Dr. L i in 1978 ， the president of the student union affectionately called Dr. Li the 'gardener' of the University as he bade farewell to the outgoing vice-chancellor on behalf of the students. Dr. L i was indeed the great gardener of our university. What he planted and carefully nurtured is an international institution dedicated to the business of education, which requires long-term commitment. His successors have carried on his good work and the University has continued to grow. Today when we look around the campus ， we see students not only from Hong Kong but from many other parts of the world. Over a once barren hill top more than 100 buildings have been erected on this 330-acre campus. They are decorated with trees and plants here and there and the aura and freedom of the academia permeates the whole establishment. How it harmonizes with the charming Tolo Harbour and the virile Ma On Shan to form a most beautiful picture. The chancellor conferring a degree on a graduate, with Dr. C.M. Li watching in the background Life i n Retirement After his retirement from The Chinese University, Dr. Li returned to his teaching post at the University of California i n Berkeley, and was reunited with the rest of his family. Dr. Li's three children were by then all accomplished professionals. A ne w turn in his career however began when China opened its doors for a modernization programme. Dr. L i was invited many times to visit China to help the government develop its economic studies and business administration programmes. He flew frequently between the States and China and never complained about the hectic schedule. But soon, his health deteriorated to such an extent that he could afford such trips no longer. In recent years, he was confined to his residence most of the time, but he much enjoyed his life with his grandchild around. To be Forever Remembered On 21st April this year, Dr. L i passed away in Berkeley at the age of 79. Staff and students mourned deeply on receiving the sad news, and today we gather here to pay our respects to this great gardener of ours. Mrs. Li and Dr. Li's eldest son Winston, have come all the way from the States to join us in our grief and we want to extend to them our condolences. Mrs. L i has been a loving wife and a kind mother and it was she who witnessed with Dr. Li the birth and growth of The Chinese University, and who provided the strongest support for Dr. Li's endeavours which turned his ideals into reality. I'm sure Mrs. L i will agree with us that The Chinese University itself is the best and most enduring memorial to Dr. Li. Through this university he shall live with us forever. • In Memory of Dr. C. M. Li 6