Charles Chu memorial, April 18, 2009
  • Guests begin to arrive.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Cherry blossoms cut from the Arboretum decorate the altar.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Speakers assemble in the front pews.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • The view from the altar.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Local musician Gabriel Kastelle opens the program.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Kastelle performs on the er-hu, a Chinese fiddle.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Jonathan Spence of Yale University, a preeminent scholar of Chinese culture, said Chu's program at Connecticut College was one of the first to combine the study of culture, art, politics and language.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • The audience listens to Spence.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Reading poems of Professor Chu were: David J. Zimmerman '75; Professor Yibing Huang; Dean of the Faculty Roger L. Brooks; Marion E. Doro, the Lucy Marsh Haskell '19 Professor Emeritus of Government; and Sally N. Zuar '11, a student in the Chinese program.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Tek-Wah King, senior lecturer in Chinese, played one of Chu's favorite recordings from the Peking Opera - an energetic piece that King said reminded him of Chu.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Mary Ann Garvin Siegel '66 said Chu believed in her unconditionally. "That wasn't anything I earned; it was what Charles gave freely to us all," she said.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Hughes "Toby" Griffis said Chu tried to teach him to say "I am an American" for their first trip to China in 1980. After two days of odd looks, a bemused Chu told Griffis he was saying "I am a watermelon."<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Guests listen to College Trustee John F. Niblack, a friend and student of Chu's.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • When Niblack asked Chu to teach him Chinese in 2002, Chu replied, "You will be my last student, so work hard."<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Fae S. Varinata '86 and her daughter, Tiffany Varinata '12, read a poem.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • "An Earthly Sojourner," requested by Bettie Chu, was read by Fae S. Varinata '86 and Tiffany Varinata '12.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • The Rev. Kent C. Smith, former professor of history at Connecticut College, said Chu loved the College and took pride in the accomplishments of his students.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Paula Chu, one of Professor Chu's daughters, describes his passion for learning.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Speakers and family members, at left, listen to Paula Chu.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • "Pop was always seeking center, seeking meaning with words and the ideas they allowed him to form," Paula Chu said.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Professor Chu's legacy is his curiosity and the delight he took in small things - the promise of new knowledge and discovery at every turn, Paula Chu said.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: Barb Nagy</span></em>
  • Professor Chu's children: Leeland Cole-Chu, Paula Chu, Ellen Chu Scala and Kevin Chu.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Guests leave Harkness Chapel.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>
  • Guests linger on the lawn outside the Chapel before heading to the Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room in Shain Library for a reception.<em><span style=font-size:9pt;> Credit: A. Vincent Scarano</span></em>