Zhang Boling

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Zhang Boling (Simplified Chinese: 张伯苓; Pinyin: Chang Po-Ling; 1876-1951) was the founder of Nankai University.

[edit] Life

A native of Tientsin, He studied as a cadet to be a sailor in the modernized Beiyang Fleet. However, when the fleet was destroyed during the first Sino-Japanese war, he abandoned this endevoure, pursued studies in private schools in the homes of wealthy Tientsin backers. While at these schools, he conformed to and was influenced heavily by YMCA ideals and programs. He eventually went on to found the Nankai Middle School. In 1917 he traveled to the Teachers College at Colombia, for further teaching education. on his return in 1919, he founded Nankai University which became one of the leading educational institutions in the country. he was noted for his emphasis on sport, which he believed was a way to rid of China the 'Sick man of Asia' image of the early 1900s, quoting that 'only a good sportsman can be a good teacher'. he was instrumental in establishing a number of annual national athletic meets and the establishment of the forerunner to the Chinese Olympic Committee. In addition, he established several smaller institutions. These included a girls middle school in 1923, experimental primary school (1928), institute of economics (1927), and of chemistry in (1932).