MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY Thursday, June 19, 2025

Chair of the Board of Trustees' Report: Resolution, Recognition of Distinguished Service for Zhiyuan Cong 

6-25-2

Richard J. Helldobler , PhD, President of William Paterson University

… Certainly your ability to use the arts to bridge cultures and build relationships. There is probably surpassed by none other artist that I have known in my time. So regrettably Covid stole our opportunity to visit China together, but perhaps in retirement that might still happen. But I didn't think that we could let this day go by without recognizing your incredible body of work not only as an artist, but as a builder of understanding between our great countries and our great culture, and I wanted to make special note of that today, and now I am going to(gonna) turn it over to President (Emeritus) Arnold Speert (1985-2010).

Arnold Speert, PhD, President Emeritus William Paterson University 1985-2010:

Early on, I became aware of the mural created by Zhiyuan Cong in 1993 for the basketball program at the University of Indiana during his graduate studies. What I have always found exciting is his depiction of the players and who with such astounding energy, and at the same time his use of color to create a sense of flow that transcends the actual play of the game. What impressed me from the very beginning is Zhiyuan's ability to create links between China and its artists and the United States and its artists. Not only is he comfortable in both environments, but he is an example of the vitality of the nexus. The center for Chinese Art was his ongoing dream and he gave life to it, and has continued to support it, and find support for it. 

Now it is my personal note. In 2000 I accompanied Governor Crispy Whitman as a member of a business and education delegation to Japan, Korea and Taiwan. As the delegation left Seoul for Taiwan, I joined Zhiyuan Cong and flew to Shanghai. Throughout the trip in China, Zhiyuan served as my translator as I met with a number of university leaders in Suzhou, Nanjing and from Anhui. He introduced me to wonder of Chinese art and gardens Chinese gardens, or even half particularly. Zhiyuan knew of my admiration for depictions of the Yellow Mountain (Huangshan) and arranged for us to go there with President Fang of Nanjing Art Institute. The visiting of Huangshan helped to solidify my understanding of the intricacies he showed me in the gardens of the relative placement of stone, water, trees and clouds, and perhaps was one moment of true peace I had in my presidency. For that I will always be indebted to Zhiyuan. Best wishes to you, Zhiyuan and Jun in the years ahead. Now, Kathy!

Kathleen M. Waldron , PhD, President Emeritus William Paterson University 2010-2018:

Thank you, Professor Cong, it's a pleasure to participate in the recognition of you today. You have been a remarkable scholar, a remarkable teacher and a colleague. You are gifted at motivating students, as Arnie mentioned, you are creative in your own right, and I very proudly purchased a piece of your art, which I hang in my home and think of you and your wife often when I deal it. You're recognized by fellow artists not only in China but also in the United States. And you were instrumental in informing the Association of Artists of Chinese Art in the United States to pursue academic investigation of the artistic tradition in China. I had the pleasure of accompanying 

Professor Cong on two trips to China. One to Beijing and the second to Shanghai. The first trip involved attending lots of museums where we were greeted by the directors of the art museums and you could see the respect they had for Professor Cong. You could feel it. It was amazing to me. The second trip to Shanghai was a fundraising trip where we had received notification that we were going to the university was going to receive a gift of cash to support the new center for Chinese art. money from China to the United States. So I was a little nervous, but there was a grand perception which included the mayor of Shanghai, the city council equivalent of Shanghai and mayor members of the press and dignitaries, and I thought, well, if they are all here. It must be OK. Maintaining that friendship through all the political turmoil that had occurred and they wanted to recognize you and since then have helped set up a museum in your home town in your honor. It is a pleasure for me to be part of this recognition ceremony to a world class artist, thank you. 

Let me start the resolution in recognition of the distinguished service for Zhiyuan Cong.

Whereas  Zhiyuan Cong  joined the William Paterson University faculty in 1994 as an assistant professor of art, was subsequently promoted to associate professor in 2000 and then to full professor in 2006, and

Joshua B. Powers, PhD, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs:

Whereas Mr. Cong established the center for Chinese art in September of 2009, with the explicit missions to be a unique center for Chinese art in the United States. With the goal of commencing academic artistic and cultural exchange and

Arnold Speert, PhD, President Emeritus William Paterson University:

Whereas under his leadership, he was able to develop valuable relationships with the Chinese community both here in the United States and abroad, including important philanthropic activity that has helped support the mission of the center and 

Stuart Goldstein, PhD, Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations:

Whereas the center has received numerous awards over the years most notably with regard to its publications and marketing achievements as well as for its study in China opportunities 

for students and

Wartyna Davis , PhD, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences:

Whereas students have had unique opportunities to learn and study Chinese art techniques, particularly with respect to drawing, ink painting, color painting, calligraphy and woodblock printmaking. Their instruction was also enhanced by renowned visiting art faculty and artist and

Sandra B. Hill, PhD, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs:

They are enabling artistic and cultural exchange that have brought international acclaim to the center and to the university, including what was no doubt the single largest one day virtual exchange with hundreds of sites across the United States and China. As participants in the international symposium across time and space, the silk road and the silk city, and

Pamela Ferguson , PhD, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and President, William Paterson University Foundation Board:

Whereas Mr. Cong received the extraordinary honor of having a museum built and named after him in his hometown of Bencha in Jiangsu province China, honoring his achievement in and in turn the visibility of William Paterson university and  

Richard J. Helldobler , PhD, President of William Paterson University:

Therefore, in recognition of his 31 years of achievement as a faculty member is founding in the center of Chinese art and his leadership of the center for 16 years since its inception.

Mr. Michael A. Seeve , Chair, Broad of trustees of the William Paterson University of New Jersey:

Here is the result: Upon the recommendation of President Richard J. Helldobler, Broad of trustees of the William Paterson University of New Jersey, First title, Director Emeritus of the Center for Chinese Art upon Mr. Zhiyuan Cong with all the rights honors and privileges that pertain thereto on this day the 19th of June in the year 2025.

William Paterson University of New Jersey Board of Trustees Meeting

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Chairman's Report:

Resolution commending Cong Zhiyuan for his outstanding contributions 

#6-25-2

Dr. Richard Herdula, President of William Paterson University, USA, made a speech:

... Of course, Zhiyuan, your ability to connect cultures and build relationships through art is undeniable. I doubt any artist I know can do it better than you. It's a shame that the COVID-19 pandemic has robbed us of the opportunity to visit China together. Perhaps we'll have another chance after retirement. But I believe we can't miss this day to honor your outstanding artistic achievements—not only as an artist, but also as a builder of understanding between our great countries and great cultures. I want to emphasize this point today, and now I'd like to hand the microphone over to President Arnold Spade.

Dr. Arnold Spade, former president of William Paterson University (1985-2010), said:

I long admired Zhiyuan Cong's 1986 mural for the Indiana University basketball program. During his graduate studies, I was captivated by his depictions of players, their vibrant energy and his use of color to create a sense of fluidity that transcended the physicality of the game. Zhiyuan Cong impressed me from the start with his ability to forge connections between China and its artists and the United States and its artists. He not only effortlessly blended into both environments but also exemplified the vitality of this connection. The China Art Center was a longtime dream of his; he brought it to life, continuously championed it, and now leaves a personal mark. In 2000, I accompanied Governor Crispi Whitman on her business and education delegation to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. When the delegation left Seoul for Taiwan, Zhiyuan Cong and I flew to Shanghai together. During our trip to China, Zhiyuan served as my translator, and I met with university leaders in Suzhou, Nanjing, and Anhui. He introduced me to the wonders of Asia, particularly Chinese gardens, and even the wonders of Suzhou's Half Garden. Zhiyuan, knowing my admiration for his depictions of the Huangshan landscape, arranged for us to visit the mountain with President Feng of the Nanjing University of the Arts. Our trip to Huangshan helped me deepen my understanding of the subtle relationships between stone, water, trees, and clouds in his garden art. This was perhaps the truly peaceful moment of my tenure as president. For this, I will be forever grateful to Zhiyuan and Jun, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Dr. Katherine Huajun , former president of William Paterson University (2010-2018), spoke:

Thank you, Professor Cong. It's a great honor to be here today to honor you. You are an outstanding scholar, an exceptional teacher, and a brilliant colleague. As Arnold said, you inspire your students, and you are a creative force in your own right. I proudly purchased one of your works and hang it in my home. Whenever I see it, I think of you and your wife. You have earned the recognition of your fellow artists not only in China but also in the United States. You played a significant role in organizing and founding the National Association of Chinese Art Professors and in pursuing scholarly research on the Chinese artistic tradition. I was fortunate to have Professor Cong accompany me on two trips to China: one to Beijing and the other to Shanghai. During the first visit, we visited many museums and were warmly received by art museum directors. You could sense their respect for Professor Cong, and I was deeply moved by that respect. The second trip to Shanghai was a fundraising trip. We received notice that we would be visiting a university and would receive a cash donation to support a newly established Chinese Art Center. At the time, I was a little nervous, as I wasn't sure whether transferring funds from China to the United States was legal. But the guests present were all very distinguished: representatives of the Shanghai mayor, officials from the Shanghai Municipal Council, presidents of several universities, directors of Shanghai's major art museums, members of the media, and dignitaries. I thought, if they all came, it would be no problem; it would be fantastic. You have the support, both financial and emotional, of your hometown and alumni, who have risen through the ranks and become crucial figures in China's economic development. They support you, just as you support them. Through all the political turmoil, you have maintained this friendship, recognized you, honored you by your hometown, and named an art museum after you. I'm honored to be part of this ceremony honoring a world-class artist. Thank you!

Let me begin with the resolution commending Cong Zhiyuan for his outstanding contributions :

Whereas Zhiyuan Cong joined William Paterson University in 1994 as an Assistant Professor of Art, was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and Full Professor in 2006; (Dr. Joshua B. Powers, Provost and Chief Vice President for Academic Affairs:) Whereas Mr. Cong founded the Center for Chinese Art in September 2009 with the stated mission of becoming a unique center for Chinese art in the United States, with the goal of fostering scholarly artistic and cultural exchange; (Former President Spade:) Under his leadership, he was able to establish valuable relationships with Chinese communities in the United States and abroad, including significant philanthropic activities that have helped support the Center's mission; and (Dr. Stuart Goldstein, Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations:) Whereas the Center has received numerous awards over the years, particularly for its publications and outreach efforts, and for its students; and (Dr. Wartyna Davis, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences:) Whereas students have had unique opportunities to learn and practice Chinese artistic techniques, particularly in drawing, ink painting, color painting, calligraphy, and woodblock printing. In addition, they have received mentorship from renowned visiting art faculty and artists, and (Dr. Sandra B. Hill, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs:) they have fostered artistic and cultural exchange, earning international acclaim for the Center and the University, including what is undoubtedly the largest single-day online exchange program, engaging hundreds of sites across the United States and China. As participants in the international symposium "Spanning Time and Space," the Silk Road and Silk Cities, and (Pamela Ferguson, Chair of the University Foundation Board and Vice President for Institutional Advancement:) In recognition of Mr. Cong's extraordinary honor, the establishment of the "Zhiyuan Art Museum" in his hometown of Cangcha Town, Jiangsu Province, honors his achievements and, by extension, enhances the visibility and reputation of William Paterson University. (University President Richard Herdubler:) Therefore, we recognize his 31 years of contributions as a University professor and his 16 years of leadership as the founder of the Center for Chinese Art since its inception.

(Mr. Michael A. Siff, Chairman of the University Board of Trustees:) Resolved as follows: Upon the recommendation of Richard Hurdobler, President of William Paterson University of New Jersey, the Board of Trustees of William Paterson University of New Jersey grants Mr. Zhiyuan Cong the first-class title of Honorary Director of the Center for Chinese Art, with all related rights, honors and privileges effective June 19, 2025.

新泽西威廉·帕特森大学董事会会议

2025年6月19日，星期四

董事会主席报告：

表彰丛志远的杰出贡献决议 

#6-25-2

美国威廉帕特森大学校长理查德.赫尔杜伯乐博士发言：

…… 当然，志远，您用艺术沟通文化，并建立关系的能力毋庸置疑。在我认识的艺术家中，恐怕没有谁能比您更胜一筹。很遗憾，新冠疫情夺走了我们一起访问中国的机会，或许退休后我们还能有机会。但我认为，我们不能错过表彰您杰出的艺术成就的这一天，您不仅是一位艺术家，更是一位在我们伟大的国家和伟大文化之间增进理解的建构者。今天我想特别强调这一点，现在我要把话筒交给阿诺德·史培德校长讲话 。

美国威廉帕特森大学前校长（1985-2010）阿诺德·史培德博士发言:

我很早就注意到了丛志远1986年为印第安纳大学篮球项目创作的壁画。在他研究生学习期间，我一直为他对球员的描绘感到兴奋，他描绘的球员充满活力，同时他运用色彩营造出一种超越比赛实际的流畅感。丛志远从一开始就给我留下了深刻的印象，他能够在中国及其艺术家和美国及其艺术家之间建立联系。他不仅能轻松自如地融入两种环境，更是这种联系活力的典范。中国艺术中心是他一直以来的梦想，他赋予了她生命力，并持续支持她，为她争取到了支持，现在他个人也留下了这样的印记。2000年，我作为克里斯皮·惠特曼州长商务和教育代表团成员，陪同惠特曼州长出访日本、韩国和台湾。代表团离开首尔前往台湾时，我和丛志远一起飞往上海。在中国之行期间，志远担任我的翻译，我与苏州、南京和安徽的多位大学领导会面。他向我介绍了亚洲的奇观，尤其是中国园林，甚至苏州半园的奇妙之处。志远知道我对黄山景观的描绘十分欣赏，便安排我们和南京艺术学院冯院长一起去黄山。黄山之行帮助我加深了对他所展示的园林艺术中石头、水、树和云的相对位置的精妙理解，这或许是我担任校长期间真正平静的时刻。为此，我将永远感激志远和均，祝你们未来一切顺利！

美国威廉帕特森大学前校长（2010-2018）凯瑟琳·华俊博士讲话：

谢谢您，丛教授，今天能参加您的表彰活动我非常荣幸。您是一位杰出的学者、一位杰出的老师和同事。正如阿诺德所说，您善于激励学生，您本身就富有创造力。我非常自豪地购买了您的一件作品，挂在家里，每每看到这些，我都会想起您和您的妻子。您不仅在中国，而且在美国也得到了同行艺术家的认可。您在组织与创建全美华人美术教授协会，追求中国艺术传统的学术研究发挥了重要作用。我很幸运有丛教授陪同的两次中国之行。一次是去北京，另一次是去上海。第一次访问期间，我们参观了许多博物馆，受到了艺术博物馆馆长的热情接待，您可以感受他们对丛教授的尊重，这敬意让我非常感动。第二次去上海是为了筹款。我们收到通知，我们将前往一所大学，并将收到一笔现金捐赠，用于支持新成立的中国艺术中心。当时我并不确定将资金从中国转移到美国是否合法，所以我有点紧张。但当时在场的嘉宾都很高大上，包括上海市市长的代表、上海市议会的官员、多所大学校长，上海各大艺术博物馆馆长、媒体成员和政要。我想，如果他们都来了，那一定没问题，这简直太棒了。你得到了家乡和校友们的支持，包括经济和情感上的支持，他们在中国经济发展中一路走来，成为举足轻重的人物。他们也同样支持着您，就像您也支持着他们一样。在经历了所有政治动荡之后，你们依然保持着这份友谊，他们认可您，家乡表彰您，在您的家乡建立了以您名字命名一座美术馆。我很荣幸能参加这场表彰世界级艺术家的仪式，谢谢！

让我来开始表彰丛志远的杰出贡献的决议：

鉴于丛志远于1994年加入威廉·帕特森大学，担任艺术助理教授，随后于2000年晋升为副教授，并于2006年晋升为正教授；（Joshua B. Powers 博士，大学教务长兼学术事务首席副校长：）鉴于丛先生于2009年9月创立了中国艺术中心，其明确的使命是成为美国独一无二的中国艺术中心。目标是开展学术艺术和文化交流，并（史培德前校长:）在他的领导下，他能够与美国国内外的华人社区建立宝贵的关系，包括重要的慈善活动，这些活动有助于支持该中心的使命，并且（Stuart Goldstein 博士，市场营销和公共关系副校长:）鉴于该中心多年来屡获殊荣，尤其是在其出版物和宣传和推广方面的成就以及为学生，以及（艺术、人文和社会科学学院院长 Wartyna Davis 博士:）鉴于学生们拥有独特的机会学习和研习中国艺术技巧，尤其是在素描、水墨画、彩画、书法和木版画方面。此外，他们还获得了知名的客座艺术教师和艺术家的指导，并且 (桑德拉·B·希er尔博士，学术事务副教务长：) 它们促进了艺术和文化交流，为中心和大学赢得了国际赞誉，其中包括无疑是规模最大的单日线上交流活动，与美国和中国的数百个站点进行了交流。作为跨越时空的国际研讨会的参与者，丝绸之路和丝绸之城，以及（大学基金会董事会主席兼机构发展副校长帕梅拉·弗格森:)鉴于丛先生获得了非凡的荣誉，在他的家乡江苏省栟茶镇建立了一座以他的名字命名的“志远美术馆”，以表彰他的成就，并进而提升威廉帕特森大学的知名度和声誉。(大学校长理查德.赫尔杜伯乐：) 因此，我们表彰他作为大学教授31年来所做出的贡献以及他作为中国艺术中心创始人自中心成立以来16年的领导。

(大学董事会主席迈克尔·A·西夫先生:) 决议如下：经新泽西威廉帕特森大学校长理查德·赫尔杜伯乐推荐，新泽西威廉帕特森大学董事会授予丛志远先生中国艺术中心名誉主任一等头衔，自2025年6月19日起，享有所有相关权利、荣誉和特权。