On the afternoon of April 10, the "Understanding China 2025" themed sharing session featuring the inspiring stories of the "Five Seniors" was held at Bingling Hall of the Science and Technology Innovation Building. The event was jointly organized by Jianghan University Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, Office of Retirement Affairs, and Youth League Committee of Jianghan University, with the School of Business serving as the hosting unit. The event fully leveraged the advantages of the "Five Seniors" as witnesses, participants, and practitioners of China's development, effectively inspiring young students to cultivate lofty aspirations of serving the country and contributing to its prosperity, and to courageously shoulder their generation's responsibilities.
Zhang Hongxing, Vice President of Jianghan Universty and Director of the Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, Liu Ren, Deputy Section Chief of the Bureau of Retired Cadres of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee, heads of relevant departments and colleges, teacher representatives, and more than 200 students participated in the event.
The event featured three representatives of the "Five Seniors"：Zhang Baojun, honored as "Jingchu Outstanding Teacher", "Model of Emulating Lei Feng" and "Advanced Retired Cadre"; Zeng Xinmin, awarded "Outstanding Party Work Official of Jianghan University" and the fifth "Most Beautiful Silver-Haired Star"; and Yuan Leyun, recognized as "Service Star of Hubei Universities" and the 11th 'Most Inspiring Figure of Jianghan University'. Through their simple language and touching stories, they interpreted the original aspiration of CPC members and the mission of educators, which exemplified an inspiring ideological and political lesson for college students.
As the heartfelt song "I Love You, China" resonated through the venue, a surge of patriotism swelled in the heart of everyone present.
"Retirement marks not the end of the journey in education, but the beginning of another." Professor Zhang Baojun, honored as the "Jingchu Outstanding Teacher", has devoted seven years to teaching at a rural primary school in Xiaochang County as part of the silver-age educational support program. From setting up a psychological counseling room to provide mental health support and organizing a rural chorus to enrich students' cultural lives, to visiting parents to foster urban-rural education exchanges, she has exemplified the mission of educators in the new era with unwavering commitment and warmth. In the simple classroom, she brings smiles to the children's faces through desk dances; in cold, windy nights, she undertakes arduous home visits, all to unlock the hearts of left-behind children. "My passion for teaching will never diminish," Zhang said, "As long as the children need me, I won't think about stepping back".
Zeng Xinmin, recognized as the "Outstanding Party Work Official of Jianghan University" and the "Most Beautiful Silver-Haired Star", has remained tirelessly committed to her mission since retiring seventeen years ago. Motivated by her passion for lifelong learning and her dedication to serving the country through education, she continues to inspire those around her. Her experience in assisting Tibet forged her unyielding and regret-free spirit, while the establishment of the "Zeng Xinmin Scholarship" reflects her deep care and high expectations for the next generation. Through her actions, she has fulfilled the commitment and mission of a CPC member. Even in retirement, she immerses herself in academic pursuits, diligently preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam and independently studying English and mathematics, all to live by her personal motto: "Never cease making progress". "Although I've retired," she said, "my mind should not retire, and my commitment to education will never fade".
As the recipient of both the "Service Star of Hubei Universities" award and the "Most Inspiring Figure of Jianghan University" honor, Yuan Leyun has dedicated himself to safeguarding the campus day in and day out. He has persistently been leading students in volunteer services, leaving his presence in communities and hospitals. He spent his own money to give books and engraved seals to volunteers, and three thick notebooks stand as a testament to his decades-long journey of love. Though he may stay in the background in an ordinary position, all these efforts and contributions combine to form a powerful force driving the construction of a strong education-oriented country.
The atmosphere on site was lively. Young students, cherishing deep respect for the "Five Seniors", enthusiastically raised questions. The "Five Seniors", drawing on their own experiences, patiently answered the questions, inspiring the students to strive for the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The poem recitation "Paying Tribute to China", presented by students from the School of Business , resonated with deep emotion in every line, once again imprinting the belief of "saluting achievers and praising the educational dream" on the hearts of every young student.
An Weiqun, the Executive Deputy Director of Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, highly praised this activity and proposed four hopes for young students: focus on the theme of the activity and enhance their sense of mission and responsibility in building a strong country with a high-quality education system; connect with real-life situations, deeply reflect on and comprehend the deeds and spirits of the "Five Seniors"; summarize the insights gained and create works to vividly showcase the gains and outcomes of the activity; leverage the strengths of the "Five Seniors" and facilitate the high-quality implementation of the activity.
(By Mao Wenjun, Xu Zhe, Xu Bingzheng)