An Example of a Highly Educated Immigrant

In 1952, Bill Paul came from Scotland to accept a Post-Doc from Harvard University. His experience was similar to mine, in that I came from Taiwan to accept a Research Fellowship at the University of Illinois, and both of us stayed to make a life in this country. The programs which encouraged American Universities to seek out well-educated individuals from abroad to enhance graduate programs in this country, in the 1950's and 1960's, were responsible for much of the advancement - particularly in the sciences - in this country.

Having left his wife in Scotland, Bill was befriended by Janice's mother, who was working at Harvard at the time and who invited him to join her family for holidays and such. Fortunately, his wife Babs was able to join him a year or two later. The two of them became close family friends with the Fernalds - a relationship which has lasted for many years. The family picture below was taken when Janice was about 12 with Babs and Bill in the middle. 

The second picture was taken on June27th, in the summer of 2008, when we were having a family reunion on Cape Cod. Bill and Babs and their children and grandchildren, all participated that summer, as did Janice and I and our children and grandchildren.

 

Marian Anderson was in Taiwan once!

 Last night, I was watching a local PBS TV program. It was a special on Marian Anderson, used to raise funds for the station. There were some sections which impressed me very much. The most special event pictured took place in 1939, when she gave a concert at the Lincoln Center in front of 75,000 people. The first two pictures below were taken at that concert.

The third picture, which I found on the web, is also interesting. It has been said that the picture was possibly taken in 1965, on a visit to Taiwan. The other two people shown are the wives of the President and Vice-President of Taiwan during that time.

This program last night reminded me that I attended Marian Anderson's concert at Taiwan Normal University Music Hall to hear her sing in 1958, which was my freshmen year.  Since there was standing room only, I stood in the first row of the very crowded Hall to hear "Ave Maria". At the time there was only one University which had a Music Department. It was an open concert. I am pretty sure that what I remember is correct!

Some Old Pictures of Janice

 Shari was preparing to move out of her old house. She went through a lot of old pictures which her father had taken, and she sent some of them to Janice. I found three of them very interesting to include in this blog. The first two were taken in 1942, the year Janice was born. 

This was taken in July by Janice's father who was a very good amateur photographer

 The second one was taken at Christmas time at a professional shop, which reflects the trend at that time. It shows what they do during the Christmas season.

 

The final picture, of Janice's parents, was taken during the time when the young couple was becoming a family. This is a very typical family!!!