On June 27, 2007, OSSM faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and friends gathered in The Great Hall of the Dan Little Residence Hall on the OSSM Campus to show great appreciation for two very special individuals with “many years of excellence in teaching and coaching OSSM students.”  Long time OSSM Mathematics professors Chengde and Yunhua Feng retired from their posts at OSSM following the 2006-2007 academic year.  Dr. Manning opened the farewell celebration noting that the Feng’s retirement was not really an end to their careers but merely a “temporary leave of absence” and that they would be welcome to return to Oklahoma and OSSM any time!

In honor of their “temporary” leave, the Fengs were presented with several Thank You gifts for their service to OSSM and the numerous students they have influenced over the past 16 years (Chengde since 1991 and Yunhua since 1994; for a nice summary of their mathematics teaching history, visit the OSSM Parents Weekly archives: http://www.ossm.edu/weekly/sep-29-2006.pdf ).  These items included an engraved microscope and two Greg Burns classroom prints noting their years of teaching at OSSM.  They also were given a personalized, bound book compiled of pictures and notes from OSSM alumni and parents.  Chengde and Yunhua replied that they “Never dreamed they would spend their last years of math education in America let alone at OSSM…they spent their best times in <their> lives at OSSM.”  Further, they noted a famous Chinese proverb that translates, “It is a unique pleasure to enjoy the opportunity in teaching the smartest kids under the sun,” and that, likewise, mathematics has been considered the most desirable degree since the times of Confucius 2500 years ago.  As such, they consider themselves very fortunate to have been a part of OSSM and to have been given the opportunity to teach (in their words) “the best and the brightest” in Oklahoma. 

The Professors Feng also gave gifts from China to OSSM in return as gratitude for the generosity of the OSSM Family.  With OSSM Biology professor Dr. Mark Li’s help in translating the item descriptions, the following items were presented: a picture woven in silk of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity: “May everyone’s lives be as long as the pines and cranes;” a bronze vessel from the Shang Dynasty used for palace rituals dating approximately 1700BC; a bronze eagle symbolizing the United States of America, and a porcelain vase of persimmons and a dragon made in Songxi.  Chengde concluded their thanks by stating that “all good things should come to an end” but that they know they will return to visit, especially since Dr. Manning had just approved a “temporary leave” for them!  He also closed stating on behalf of himself and Yunhua that “this is our country, our state, our city, and our school…we are members of the OSSM Family forever.”  In response, OSSM Academics VP Dr. Lease told the Professors Feng that “you have made our lives richer,” and in the Malay language he fared them well by stating, “1000 thanks upon your heads from us all!”

The Fengs have settled in New Hampshire to be closer to their son Dr. Zuming Feng, daughter-in-law Xueyu Zhang, and their grandchildren Claudia and Zachary – their pride-and-joys!  I suspect, though, that we will see the Fengs back in Oklahoma often!  From all of us at the OSSM Society, thank you to the Professors Feng for being such great mathematics educators.  We have all been so lucky to have been taught by them, not just math but also about life.  We will miss you and never will forget you! 

Respectfully submitted by Jane Herron Yaciuk, OSSM co98