EA/HI 333 Colby and China Course Archive Project

Song Chin Foh / 宋君复 ‘1921

Colby Years (1917-1921)

The Wayland-to-Colby connection gives the exhibit its opening clue and one of its clearest educational pathways.

Song’s graduation photo appears in the Colby Oracle, class of 1921.

Song Chin Foh’s years at Colby connected his earlier education at Wayland Academy in Hangzhou to American campus religious and athletic life. Before entering Colby College, he spent a preparatory year at Colby Academy (now Colby-Sawyer College) in New London, New Hampshire. He graduated from Colby in 1921 as the second Chinese student to do so, following Vi Tsu Sun in 1920.

At Colby, Song joined the YMCA Financial and Deputation Committees, played on his class basketball and tennis team, took part in the Colby band, and became a member of Pi Delta Phi. Colby placed him within Protestant, social, and athletic networks that shaped the next stage of his education and later helped define his work in physical education in China.

Song (first row, second to the right) was the first Chinese student to join Pi Delta Phi at Colby, 1921.

After graduating from Colby in 1921, Song continued his education at Springfield College.

Song in Colby Alumnus, the Colby alum magazine

Song was a member of Pi Delta Phi.
Song actively participated in local politics.
Song was on the Colby tennis team, although Colby Oracle didn’t mention this.