West China Union University

The West China Union University (WCUU) (Chinese: 華西協合大學), located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, was the product of the collective efforts of four Protestant, denominational, missionary boards and eventually became a division of the West China Educational Union (WCEU), which was created in 1906. Once established, the university approached the difficult tasks of educating and converting the people of Sichuan province—an area in size equal to the United Kingdom, France, and Germany combined—as it was the only institution with a Christian purpose in the region. This meant that the faculty and administration were attempting to educate and influence the beliefs of a population in excess of 150 million people.

The university was founded in 1914 next to the city of Chengdu, and is still present to this day. The creation of the school manifested from William Reginald Morse's realization that missions in West China were unable to provide educational opportunities. The University was established through the joint efforts of missionary organizations from the United States, Britain and Canada. The mission of the school was "the advancement of the Kingdom of God by means of higher education in West China under Christian auspices". Dr. O.L. Kilborn, Dr. R.G. Kilborn, and Dr. William Reginald Morse played key roles in its formation. In 1914 there was only one medical building that was 30 by 15 feet. There also were five staff members in 1914: Drs. C. W. Service, H. W. Irwin, H. L Canright, W. R. Morse, and O. L Kilborne. As Morse noted, "The University suffered from poverty, lack of equipment, deficiency in staff, and inadequate teaching rooms". However, in 1924, the WCUU opened enrollment to women and became the first co-educational university inland. The medical school has expanded greatly,and in 1985 changed its name to West China University of Medical Sciences. As of June 2000, the University had eight schools: School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, School of Continuing Education, School of Forensic Medicine.

West China Union University was home to Dr. John W. Yost and then Reverend Raymond R. Brewer. The West China Educational Union tied in the old West China Mission where Reverend Frank D. Gamewell was once superintendent. The college taught all subjects and had strong international ties, including with America, England, Canada. WCUU graduates became part of a leading class in China consisting of well trained professionals, intellectuals, and educators. Although the university was shut down in 1926 and the WCEU was closed shortly thereafter when all foreigners were ordered to leave China, the Chinese scholars who remained there carried on, taught others, and made progress on their own. Therefore, WCUU had lasting effects on education in China.

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