“Dad, I’m going to DKU.”
At home in Washington, D.C., Thomas Ye told his family about his dream.
Jeff Ye still remembers that moment clearly. He has two sons — his older one was admitted to Duke Kunshan University years ago but didn’t enroll because of the pandemic. This year, his younger son, Thomas, decided to follow the same dream and applied to DKU.
“I didn’t come with him for the DKU Bound admitted-student weekend earlier this year,” Jeff said at DKU’s Family Weekend, held Oct. 24-25. “I wanted him to explore on his own, make his own decisions, and choose the school he truly loves.”
When Thomas returned home from the event, the first thing he said was, “I’m going to DKU.”
“We asked if he wanted to think about other schools,” Jeff recalled, “but he said, ‘No need. I already know what I want.’”
A first visit that changed everything
Min Zhao, from Nantong in Jiangsu province, first brought her family to DKU when her daughter, Shuaizhen Zhao, was in 10th grade.
“I’ve always been fascinated by architecture, and the DKU campus blew me away — from its interior design to the irrigation system, you can see the university’s care and attention to detail everywhere.”
The following summer, while her daughter was a junior, Min Zhao encouraged her to join DKU’s Global Summer Institute program even with her busy school schedule. That experience strengthened Shuaizhen’s resolve.
“She met many like-minded friends and received encouragement from professors,” Min Zhao said. “When she came home, she told me, ‘This is the place for me.’”
Now a member of DKU’s Class of 2029, Shuaizhen is thriving on campus — joining the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, the orchestra, the golf club, and even learning Kunqu, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera still performed today.
“She’s living a full and rewarding life,” her mother said. “The university often sends parents updates about campus events, so I always feel close to both her and DKU. The liberal arts philosophy truly suits her.”
To help parents better understand their children’s learning and campus life, DKU recently hosted its annual Family Weekend, welcoming more than 300 parents from around the world.
Over two days, parents toured classrooms, met with faculty and students, and saw for themselves the energy and openness that define DKU.
At the opening ceremony, John Quelch, Executive Vice Chancellor, highlighted DKU’s defining principles — internationalism, interdisciplinarity and innovation.
“It’s a privilege to help guide an institution that is truly unique — not just in China, but worldwide,” Quelch said. “We aim to nurture students who value people different from themselves, who are willing to explore ideas beyond their comfort zones, and who approach learning with creativity and curiosity.”
Letting go, growing together
This year’s Family Weekend also marked Jeff’s first visit to DKU— all the way from the U.S.
“During the admitted-student weekend earlier this year, I wanted my son to explore independently,” Jeff said. “But when I got the Family Weekend invitation, I booked my ticket right away — I had to see this place he loves so much.”
Since Thomas started studying at DKU, every message Jeff receives from him is filled with joy and excitement.
“One set of parents from the U.S. told me their child even made a detailed PowerPoint presentation to persuade them to support studying at DKU,” Jeff said. “They were so moved by their child’s determination that they finally agreed. And after visiting DKU themselves, they completely understood — their child made the right choice.”
“Children are like trees,” Cangcang Chen, mother of Zhirui Hou from Class of 2029. “Only when they grow naturally can they flourish. Over-pruning will only turn them into bonsai.”
Her words echoed DKU’s philosophy — encouraging students to explore freely in a diverse environment and grow into independent thinkers with a global outlook.
A weekend of inspiration
During Family Weekend, Christopher Van Velzer, Dean of Student Experience, hosted the opening session and shared his philosophy of Embrace the Awkward — encouraging students to step beyond their comfort zones to achieve growth and transformation.
A variety of themed sessions helped parents gain a deeper understanding of DKU’s education:
“The Benefits of Letting Go” explored how to foster independence and resilience.
A session introduced DKU’s Global Opportunities (GO) program with Duke and other partner institutions worldwide.
Academic advising sessions explained major choice, credit requirements and academic support.
Mock classes offered a firsthand experience of DKU’s interactive teaching model.
In the student experience panel, students from different classes and majors shared their stories and answered questions from parents.
Career development sessions covered internships, résumé tips and industry trends, while a research poster exhibition showcased students’ summer projects.
Parents also joined campus experiences — from a Tai Chi workshop led by the student Tai Chi Club to an Ultimate Frisbee tournament where families and students teamed up for friendly matches. Evening performances featuring student bands and dance clubs filled the campus with energy and laughter.
The “Encountering Art at DKU” event invited families and students to explore the stories behind the sculptures that shape the campus landscape. The artists joined students and parents for an engaging conversation on how contemporary art fosters dialogue and connection. Moderated by Professor Selina Lai-Henderson, the discussion was followed by a campus tour of the installations led by the artists themselves.
