Sioux City, Iowa – Morningside’s connection to Fuzhou, China, dates back to 1897, when Mabel Sia became the campus’s first international student. Hailing from Fuzhou and educated at the Methodist Girls’ Boarding School, Sia briefly studied in Japan before arriving in Sioux City. Tragically, her life was cut short by illness after a brief return home, leaving the Morningside community in profound shock, as her passing “struck all who knew her with grief.” Yet, her journey would only be the beginning of deep connections between Morningside and Fuzhou.

Amidst a backdrop of limited educational opportunities for women in China, the Hwa Nan Association and the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church worked to establish Hwa Nan, the first private women’s college in China. Initially functioning as a high school and teacher training program, Hwa Nan evolved into a full college by 1914 and proudly graduated its first class of three women in 1921. Notably, the college’s first three presidents were Morningside alumni: Lydia Trimble (1904), Ida Belle Lewis (1909), and Lucy Wang (1921), establishing lasting ties between the two institutions.

An architectural link between the campuses is also evident, as the original buildings designed by Sioux City architect Wilfred Beach in 1912 bear a resemblance to Morningside’s Lewis Hall and Charles City Hall. In the 1920s, the Sister College Movement further strengthened the bond, with Morningside supporting Hwa Nan’s chemistry programs.

Historical upheavals presented challenges for Hwa Nan, though. The Japanese invasion of China necessitated the relocation of classes in 1940. Hwa Nan eventually returned to Fuzhou in 1946, but just three years later was merged with other institutions. It wasn’t until 1985, spearheaded by devoted alumnae, that Hwa Nan Women’s College was revitalized.

A significant turning point occurred in 2008 when the Morningside Choir toured China, prompting renewed connections with Hwa Nan Women’s College. Dr. Erin Edlund, Dr. Albert Mosley, and Terri Curry celebrated Morningside’s legacy alongside a delegation representing Hwa Nan. During Hwa Nan’s centennial celebration, a formal agreement was established, marking a new era of collaboration. Since then, faculty and students have participated in exchange visits, enriching their educational experiences.

One key figure in this partnership is Dr. Greg Guelcher, a professor of history at Morningside, who has spent time as a visiting professor at Hwa Nan. His contributions, documented in a chapter of the publication “International Faculty with Fujian Hwa Nan Women’s College Since 1908,” illustrate the impact of these connections on both Morningside and Hwa Nan students. Dr. Guelcher reflected on the relationship between the two institutions.

“Morningside University made history in 1908 when it helped sponsor Hwa Nan, China’s first private women’s college, in the Treaty Port of Foochow (now Fuzhou). Prior to that date, young Chinese women had very limited options for receiving a higher education. That Hwa Nan subsequently survived many turbulent decades of war and revolution in China testifies to its vital role as an educational institution for women. As a history professor myself, I am honored to have played a part in reviving and maintaining the historic connection between our two great institutions. Hwa Nan, with its welcoming staff and eager students, has become like a second home to me. For their part, the Morningside students who accompanied me to Hwa Nan during several visits – and those Hwa Nan students who later studied at Morningside University – made new friends and benefited from an immersive cultural experience that would not have been possible without our sister school relationship.”

This summer, Morningside President Dr. Albert Mosley and his leadership team welcomed a delegation from Hwa Nan to commemorate their shared history and explore future partnership opportunities. The delegation representing Hwa Nan included Chairman Yu Rongmin, President Ren Jianhong, Morningside and Hwa Nan alumna Lily Chen, and President of the Alumnae Association Yang Shuiqn (Carol). During the visit, the group fostered plans for a delegation from Morningside to visit Hwa Nan and renewed commitment to exchange opportunities between the campus communities.

Dr. Mosley encapsulated this sentiment, sharing, “The partnership between Morningside University and Hwa Nan Women’s College is a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and shared purpose in education. As we celebrate our rich history, we look forward to a future filled with opportunity and growth for our students, bridging cultures and expanding horizons.”

Retired Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment, Terri Curry, who played a pivotal role in revitalizing the partnership since 2008, resonated with Dr. Mosley’s vision. “It has been an honor to be a part of ‘rekindling’ the relationship between Morningside and Hwa Nan Women’s College. The credit goes to former Presidents Lin Benchun and John Reynders for their tireless efforts. As I look back on the years we’ve worked together, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey we’ve traveled.”

“From the early days of excitement and rediscovery to the deeper connections we’ve built, each visit and exchange has shaped and strengthened us in remarkable ways. We’ve faced challenges and celebrated triumphs, and our relationship stands as a testament to our resilience against global circumstances that have, at times, kept us apart. Hosting the Hwa Nan delegation on campus in June, alongside seeing the joy from a shared alumna, underscored the importance of our past collaborations and the enriched learning experiences that have fostered deeper understanding among diverse cultures.”