On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Law discipline at Beijing Normal University, the Law School successfully convened a reunion symposium for its inaugural class of 1995. On the evening of July 21, 2025, Professor Liang Yingxiu, Dean of the Law School; Professor Chai Rong, Party Secretary; former Deputy Party Secretary Wei Tianjing; Professor Xia Yang, Director of the History Office; and Associate Professor Ma Jianyin, Director of the Master of Laws Education and Management Center, gathered in the Gao Mingxuan Lecture Hall (Room 1822) of the Rear Main Building with alumni representatives from the Class of 1995. Joining them was Zhang Lin, the class's former advisor, alongside alumni Lv Yuan, Wang Lijuan, Zhang Jing, and Zhou Huiyu. Together, they reflected on the founding journey of the Law major, shared stories of personal growth, and discussed future development strategies.
Dean Liang Yingxiu opened the proceedings by extending a warm welcome to the alumni for returning to their alma mater amidst their busy schedules. He subsequently provided a comprehensive overview of the Law School's history, highlighting its latest achievements in discipline construction, talent cultivation, and social service.
Party Secretary Chai Rong remarked that the inaugural Class of 1995 represents the "seeds" of the Law major at BNU. She affirmed that the school will continue to strengthen its bonds with alumni, inviting them back frequently to foster mutual growth and development.
During the exchange, the alumni expressed their excitement at returning to campus and reuniting with teachers and classmates. Zhang Lin recalled an era when faculty members rode tricycles to procure teaching supplies and students "grew wildly" under humble conditions. She noted that the collective thirst for knowledge and cohesion was deeply moving, and expressed her gratification at witnessing the discipline's expansion and the students' success.
Alumna Zhang Jing fondly reminisced about her student days, noting that the Law major was originally housed within the Philosophy Department. She highlighted the "Five Golden Flowers"—five young female faculty members—whose passionate guidance and the department's free, inclusive academic atmosphere laid a solid legal foundation for the students.
Alumnus Zhou Huiyu expressed sincere pride in the Law School's rapid development. He thanked his alma mater for its diverse cultural environment, which allowed him to read extensively and cultivate sound thinking habits and lifestyle choices, significantly benefiting his post-graduation trajectory.
"Although conditions were rudimentary at the time, the university provided us with the space for independent thinking. The study of law taught us to understand society from a broader perspective," shared alumnus Lv Yuan. Currently engaged in ideological and political education, he noted that while he is not directly involved in legal practice, his legal education at BNU has profoundly influenced and supported his career.
Alumna Wang Lijuan, who has been deeply involved in the field of legal practice, stated, "It was my alma mater that gave me the determination to pursue a career in law and ignited my passion for it. Every case I have handled since has brought me joy."
As witnesses to and participants in the program's establishment, the alumni offered suggestions for the college's future based on their experiences. They recommended providing more practical training opportunities to help BNU law graduates grow rapidly within the economic and social landscape. Dean Liang expressed sincere gratitude for these valuable insights and conveyed his best wishes to the alumni. Faculty members Wei Tianjing, Xia Yang, and Ma Jianyin also engaged with the alumni, advocating for the compilation of an oral history to preserve the memories of the program's formative years.
The thirtieth anniversary serves as both a milestone and a new starting point. This symposium not only reflected on the college's history but also consolidated the momentum to advance the discipline. The fledglings of yesterday have become today's eagles; BNU Law alumni are shining in various fields, truly embodying the spirit of the school motto: "Pursue Moral Education, Promote the Rule of Law." The Law School will continue its pioneering spirit, focusing on the needs of national rule of law construction, optimizing its discipline layout and talent cultivation, and striving toward the goal of becoming a domestically first-class, internationally renowned institution for legal education and research. The school looks forward to working with all alumni to ensure the BNU Law School shines even brighter in the new era.
