Stories Behind the Curves and Contours

Editor's Note

As we explore the beautiful and historic campus, we cannot help but appreciate the iconic sculptures. These sculptures, often depicting great thinkers, educators, or leaders, are more than just works of art but also serve as a tribute to the campus heroes. Let's explore the stories behind these sculptures.

Yun Daiying

Under the lush trees next to the Administration Building stands a heroic white marble sculpture with the figure of Yun Daiying. Born in Wuchang, Hubei Province, and then graduating from CCNU, Yun Daiying (1895-1931), became a great Chinese proletarian revolutionary and was one of the leaders of the youth movement of the Communist Party of China. Seen from afar, the statue of Yun Daiying is bathed in sunshine. With his right hand naturally hanging, and his left hand holding a book, he stands straightly and confidently. Conspicuously, his erudition isn’t overshadowed by the plain robe at all. Observed closer, his eyebrows convey his mettle and steadfast belief. Kind and alive with smiles, he looks ahead, as if he sees the dawn of revolutionary victory.

Guang Weiran

The figure statue standing on the Rhododendron Square is the famous national poet——Guang Weiran. Guang Weiran (1913-2002) was born Zhang Guangnian in Guanghua City, Hubei Province, and chose Guang Weiran as his pen name. Graduating from the School of Chinese Language and Literature of CCNU, with a sense of patriotism, he devoted himself to the construction of the motherland, and thus created the milestone work——Yellow River Cantata, which has inspired hundreds of thousands of Chinese people to fight bravely against foreign invaders and to move forward firmly. His strong will and tenacious spirit emerge thoroughly in this bronze statue. Dressed in a military uniform, he stands against the wind, without any tinge of fear. With a firm standing posture, his eyes sparkle like a sharp sword casting forward, transmitting strong verve, confidence, and bravery.

Tao Xingzhi

Whenever people pass the Science Hall, their eyes are attracted by the brown bronze sculpture of Tao Xingzhi. Mr. Tao Xingzhi (1891-1946) is a renowned educator, thinker, and a great democratic warrior and patriot in China. The statue is dressed in a Zhongshan suit, with a kind and approachable face, bearing both the gentle tenderness of a mother and the sternness of a strict father in his gaze. The glasses perched on his high nose bridge accentuate his profound knowledge, showcasing the style of a great scholar of his time.

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In addition to all the objective factors, as a comprehensive university, we cannot lag behind in academic research. If you have been to the ninth teaching building, you will definitely see the sculptures of two physicists. The figures are two famous teachers, Bian Peng, and Zhiting Gui. They laid the solid foundation of the physics discipline in Central China Normal University.

Zhiting Gui

Zhiting Gui (1895-1961) graduated from Princeton University with a Ph.D. and served as a professor, Dean of the College of Science, and Head of the Department of Physics at Huazhong University (one of the predecessors of Central China Normal University) from 1930 to 1939. Kind and approachable, he promoted self-learning and encouraged students to think and study. Although he was a rigorous and serious physics expert, he encouraged his students not to necessarily follow his own footsteps. He spent his life laying a solid foundation for the field of electromagnetic and ionospheric research.

Bian Peng

Bian Peng (1901-1990), graduated from Brown University with a Ph.D., and served as Dean of the College of Science at Huazhong University, and Head of the Department of Physics at Huazhong Normal College from 1939-1958. He is easy-going, democratic, open-minded, and extremely loyal to the school and the cause for which he serves. He also promoted the implementation of integrated education of Chinese and Western cultures. Academically, he made positive contributions to the development of electronics in China.

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Editor: Lydia, Steve

Reviser: Luyu

Designer：Bolt