UC San Diego's Taiwan Studies Initiative Enhanced by $100,000 Gift; Presentation at May 7 Concert Features Musician Matthew Lien

Lecture series presents multi-sensory presentation exploring
landscapes and cultures of Taiwan, entitled "A Journey of Water"

The University of California, San Diego, will receive a $100,000 gift from the Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego in support of the growth and expansion of the university's Taiwan Studies initiative-one of only a few such programs in the United States-on May 7. The gift, which comes in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Taiwanese American Heritage Week, follows a previous $100,000 gift made earlier. Michael Bernstein, dean of UC San Diego's Division of Arts and Humanities, will accept the check on behalf of the Taiwan Studies Lecture Series at a special "A Journey of Water" performance, featuring award-winning recording artist Matthew Lien and an ensemble of Taiwan's leading traditional world musicians.

"We are very grateful to the Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego and local Taiwanese American community for their generous support of this growing initiative," said Bernstein. "Our Taiwan Studies Lecture Series is distinctive in its efforts to build community awareness and cultural appreciation for the wide range of contributions and accomplishments of Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans within our community, across our nation and around the world."

The concert is presented by the UCSD Taiwan Studies Lecture Series which is designed to promote a deeper understanding of Taiwan's arts, culture, history, medicine, science and technology within the UCSD and greater San Diego communities. The donation will go to enhancing the lecture series and its offerings by augmenting the previous gift of $100,000 from the Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego to establish the Taiwan Studies Lecture Series in 2006.

Lien and his ensemble will use music and natural sounds signifying the movement of water through Taiwan to guide the audience on a unique journey through Taiwan's northeastern Yi-lan Province. Lien received a Golden Melody Award-Taiwan's Grammy Award equivalent-for his album entitled, "A Journey of Water." The concert will take place at 8 p.m. at Mandeville Auditorium on the UCSD campus. The event is open to the public; general admission is $8, the cost for students not attending UCSD is $6 and admission for UCSD students is free.

Founded just one year ago, the UCSD Taiwan Studies Lecture Series has featured presentations by distinguished scholars and artists at public lectures and performances, including renowned vocalist Hsun Hsun Hsu and pianist Dr. Julie Wong. The initiative was conceived by Ming T. Tsuang, distinguished university professor and director of the Center for Behavioral Genomics of the UCSD School of Medicine, and Charles W. Tu, associate dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering. The two were integral in engaging the local Taiwanese American community in instituting the educational program.

"We are very pleased with the positive reception of the lecture series within the UCSD and local Taiwanese American communities," said Tu. "The Taiwan Studies initiative will continue to provide many future opportunities for cultural learning and appreciation as it continues to expand and grow in scope."

The Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego plans to raise an additional $100,000 in private philanthropic support to further expand the Taiwan Studies initiative at UC San Diego. Those interested in learning more about the program and the giving opportunities available may contact the UCSD Division of Arts and Humanities Office of Development at (858) 822-6618.