Earlham faculty say "ni hao" to China study opportunity

More than most colleges and universities, Earlham College prepares its students to be responsible citizens of the world. Now, thanks to a generous gift from Gerry '66 and Gloria '62 Cooper, Earlham's faculty members can gain valuable experiential learning in China, allowing them to prepare their students even more effectively.

Professional development for the College's outstanding faculty is a priority in Purpose and Passion: The Campaign for Earlham. As our faculty members teach, they must also learn and grow in order to give our students an effective education in an ever-expanding global society.

The Coopers' gift will enable nine faculty members to travel to China in May and June 2010 where they will visit Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou and Kunming. Afterward, these faculty members will integrate material about China into their respective courses. The experiment may even lead to the development of a new May Term in China.

This is exactly what the Coopers had hoped would be accomplished with their gift.

"We felt that many aspects of Chinese history, literature, art, science and music could be incorporated into existing Earlham courses if faculty members had an opportunity to experience China firsthand," explained Gerry. "We felt that Earlham's faculty and students could benefit from an in-country study opportunity."

The Coopers' Earlham journey began more than four decades ago. Gerry had heard of Earlham College through friends of his parents and was drawn by the opportunity to play football and baseball. Gloria followed her sister Carol (Watkins) '60 to Richmond after both were recruited by Mary Beane '30, the mother of then-Dean of Admissions Darrell Beane.

While at Earlham, Gerry acquired an appreciation for travel during a foreign study experience in France, and Gloria studied Japanese History with Jackson Bailey. Neither dreamed that they would someday live in Asia for 19 years. They were also inspired and influenced by Landrum Bolling, Darrell Beane, Jerry Huntsman, Gil Klose and Elton Trueblood.

Following graduation, the Coopers and their two sons lived in three different regions within the United States as Gerry's company, Stanley Tools, transferred him. When the opportunity surfaced in 1986 for Gerry to be part of Stanley's first Far East initiative in Taiwan, they were ready.

Gloria was fortunate to be hired as a high school English teacher at the Taipei American School, and they settled in to their new lives in Asia. Even on the other side of the globe, however, they kept in touch with Earlham.

"Being active alumni was never a question," Gloria said. "Even when we were 9,000 miles away in Taiwan, we returned for many of our class reunions."

In 2002, Gerry left Stanley to form his own company that sources hardware, hand tools and various metal and plastic products in Asia for export to U.S. consumers.

Since both Gerry and Gloria loved their jobs and living in Taiwan, they remained there until 2005, when Gloria retired and they moved to the Washington D.C. area to be closer to family. They still travel to China and Taiwan five or six times every year to allow Gerry to interface with his employees and manufacturers.

Both their experiences in Asia and their love of Earlham inspired the Coopers' gift.

"At the Taipei American School I was part of a Humanities team which developed and taught a year-long curriculum in Asian Studies," explained Gloria. "China's 5,000-year history offers a rich wealth of information that Earlham instructors of all subject areas can incorporate into their curricula."

"We like being active alumni," Gerry said. "Even though we've also included Earlham in our wills, we'd like to have the pleasure of actually seeing while we're alive the benefits of giving some of our financial assets to an institution that has meant so much to us. Despite today's uncertain economy, now is as good a time as any to share some of our blessings, many of which we believe are rooted in our Earlham experience."