The Pioneer of Chinese American Education: Dr. Theodore Chen

Dr. Hsi-En “Theodore” Chen had a long and distinguished career in higher education, both in the United States and in China. Dr. Chen was the first professor of Chinese ancestry to be granted tenure at the University of Southern California; his hiring opened the gates for Chinese scholars to teach in America on the university level. Dr. Chen revived the moribund Asian Studies Department at USC, taught and wrote extensively on the history and theory of education, inspired several generations of students, established a scholarship for Chinese students pursuing graduate work at USC, published nine books and countless scholarly articles, and earned the respect of all who knew him by his diligence and humility. As an inspirational speaker in bothEnglish and Chinese, Dr. Chen worked tirelessly to build support for Chinese resistance against Japanese expansion, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that, more than any other individual, Dr. Chen helped feed America’s voracious appetite for information on Chinese culture and history in the years following the Communist revolution. Although he briefly interrupted his career at USC to establish new universities in China and Taiwan, Dr. Chen continued to serve his chosen university until his death at age 88.

But behind the portrait of a scholar is the portrait of a relationship. The Chen’s marriage was a love match that endured nearly 60 years. Although Wen-Hui subordinated her own academic career to that of her husband, their marriage was truly egalitarian. Their story is a testament to the power of love. Together they overcame all manner of obstacles, including the death of a child. Wen-Hui wrote this memoir in part to gain solace for her grief at her husband’s passing, and in part to acquaint the Chinese-speaking extended family with Ted’s accomplishments.