Nihao. I greet you warmly on this special occasion. I also bring greetings from the University of La Verne, one of the universities that Bodi has a fraternal relationship with. Both President Devorah Lieberman, our university president, and Dr. Jeffrey Nonemaker International Office director, send warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations on this special occasion.
I first visited Bodi Xi'an in 2001 when it was 8 years old. It was quite a new institution with 1500 students and this area where it was built was quite undeveloped. Today Bodi has over 3000 students and teachers in a busy and developed region. Bodi graduates go on to fine universities--in China and in other countries. Bodi is a mature educational institution.
Since my visit, the vision of Bodi has not changed. Bodi continues to prepare students to be excellent citizens of China, citizens for the world. It is this second part--education to be a world-citizen-- that makes Bodi very special for it seeks to blend the best of Chinese education with the best of Western education. Bodi had that vision in 2001; it has it today in 2013. This is very important and strategic for an educational institution in today's world.
I congratulate the board, the students, teachers, and parents as well as Bodi alumni, that it is fortunate to have this wonderful institution. Congratulations.
