 |
Tribute to Tien's
legacy marks his retirement
By Karen Holtermann
 |
| Chang-Lin
Tien celebrated his 60th birthday November 14, 1995, at a
symposium attended by many of his family members. Photo:
Bruce Cook |
Admirers from around the world paid tribute to former Chancellor
Chang-Lin Tien last June at a day-long retirement tribute that
celebrated his contributions over 43 years to research and education,
and the boundless enthusiasm, optimism, and energy he brought
to Berkeley.
Tien did not attend the event, but it was videotaped for him and
Webcast live all day. Speakers included former U.S. Secretary
of Education Richard W. Riley, National Science Foundation Director
Rita R. Colwell, UC President Richard C. Atkinson, Chancellor
Robert Berdahl, and many former students and colleagues. Some
200 guests, including Tien’s wife Di-Hwa and their three
children, were on hand to celebrate his life work.
Tien, 66, a university professor emeritus and professor emeritus
of mechanical engineering, stepped down after seven years as chancellor
in 1997. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2000
and suffered a debilitating stroke during surgery to remove it.
He retired from his many duties last year.
Chancellor Berdahl lauded Tien as "an integral part of this
university’s excellence and such a powerful advocate of
its interests." He praised Tien’s tireless advocacy
of affirmative action and accessibility, his skill in shepherding
the campus through its toughest budgetary times, and his success
in making Berkeley more international in its outlook and programs.
 |
| Di-Hwa (Mrs. Chang-Lin)
Tien (center) and the Tien family accept the Berkeley Citation
from Chancellor Berdahl (not pictured) on behalf of Chang-Lin
Tien in June. Photo: Peg Skorpinski |
Berdahl awarded Tien the Berkeley Citation, the
highest honor the campus can bestow on a retiring faculty member.
The symposium, held at the Bechtel Engineering Center, featured
a morning session on Tien’s research contributions in heat
transfer, ranging from work on nuclear reactor safety to the study
of almost invisible micro- and nano-devices.
"I came this morning to learn a little bit
about heat transfer, but what I learned was the profound affection
his 60-plus Ph.D. students have for Chang-Lin," said William
Wulf, president of the National Academy of Engineering. "It
was the most touching outpouring of affection that I’ve
seen in a long time." An afternoon of talks about his legacy
to education and society followed, with many recalling his creativity
in working to keep Berkeley accessible to all qualified students
after the Regents, and later California voters, banned affirmative
action in admissions.
"He had a commitment to excellence and diversity and a fervent
belief that they are inexorably linked," said President Atkinson.
"His Berkeley Pledge became a beacon for young people throughout
the state of California who were interested in going on to the
University of California." Former Secretary Riley said Tien’s
Berkeley Pledge (now School/University Partnerships) was his own
model for creating a national program to help young students get
to college. The program is now active in 46 states.
Atkinson also recalled Tien’s special connection with Berkeley
undergraduates. "He has been a familiar figure to students,
an effervescent sideline presence, a visitor to libraries during
finals, bringing cookies and encouragement to students, a move-in
day greeter – he made the campus a wonderful place for students,"
said Atkinson.
Author Karen Holtermann is
Director of University Communications.
|
