“A Decade of Growth Building Dreams for a Strong Transportation Nation, Ten Years of Hardship Yet Returning with Youthful Spirit.” On the afternoon of April 12, the 10th anniversary alumni gathering for the Class of 2011 undergraduates from the School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering was held at the Tianxin Campus of Central South University. Over a hundred alumni from across the country gathered to reminisce about their student days, recall campus memories, and renew bonds between teachers and students. The event was witnessed by former school Party Committee secretaries Jiang Qiwei and He Zhijun; Song Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the University’s Student Affairs Department; Zhang Yinggui, Deputy Director of the Railway Campus Management Committee; Yuan Shiping, Secretary of the School Party Committee; Huang Helai, Dean of the School; along with some course instructors for the Class of 2011 students and alumni from the Class of 1981.

Secretary Yuan Shiping, on behalf of the school, warmly welcomed the alumni home. “We began preparations for this 10th anniversary gathering early this year,” he said. He particularly noted the significance of inviting alumni from the Class of 1981, pointing out that this dialogue spanning 30 years represents not only the inheritance of the transportation spirit but also a resonance of hearts between two generations of Central South University people. Ten years is both a yardstick measuring growth and a vessel for emotional sedimentation. The bond between classmates is like aged wine, growing richer with time. Today, we plant the seed of a ten-year promise, looking forward to reaping even more fruitful results in the next decade.

As a “senior” in the transportation industry, Yang Changkang, representing the Class of 1981 alumni, shared from the perspective of a “forty-year transportation professional.” He encouraged the younger alumni to seize the strategic opportunities presented by the national initiative to build a strong transportation nation, to bravely shoulder missions in emerging fields, and to continue writing new glories for Central South University’s transportation professionals.

Professor Mao Chenghui, representing the course instructors for the Class of 2011, delivered a speech. He encouraged the young alumni to maintain their sincere and striving spirit, to paint a colorful picture of career and life, and to firmly establish the foundation of physical and mental health.

Huang Yongming, the 2011 class counselor, opened treasured items like the roll call book and birthday blessing booklet, recalling interesting stories from the students’ academic and campus life. He expressed his comfort and pride in the outstanding achievements attained by the Class of 2011 alumni and extended his best wishes.

Dean Huang Helai systematically introduced the school’s recent developments in talent cultivation and team building, scientific research and innovation, international exchange and cooperation, social service, and campus construction by interpreting the school’s “Locomotive Spirit” culture wall. He emphasized that every alumnus is a disseminator of the Central South University spirit and a builder of a strong transportation nation, expressing hope that alumni would continue to pay attention to and support the school’s development.

Subsequently, during the “My Decade” sharing session, the stories of five alumni were particularly moving. Li Wenhui moved from the laboratory to the lectern, continuing to cultivate new forces in the field of transportation. Wen Bangyan used his feet to measure the transportation landscape of Star City (Changsha), witnessing and participating in the construction of Changsha’s “three-dimensional transportation network.” Huang Yansi’s cross-disciplinary exploration journey proved that “learning ability is the real strength.” Song Songhua remained steadfast in the railway industry, always taking pride in his identity as a “Central South University transportation professional.” Sun Ruiqi practiced the transportation spirit, completing a transformation from a grassroots railway position to a Youth League Committee Secretary, and was honored with the All-Railway May Fourth Red Flag Youth League Committee award. These growth stories from alumni in different fields vividly illustrate the concept of “Three-Wides Education” (comprehensive, whole-process, all-round education). The school will continue to improve its alumni liaison mechanism, transforming the practical experience of outstanding alumni into educational resources to cultivate more benchmark talents for building a strong transportation nation.

In a special segment, the “Locomotive Spirit” culture wall, designed by current students and donated by the Class of 1981 alumni, was officially unveiled. It not only engraves the developmental trajectory of the school but also embodies the inheritance between two generations of transportation professionals. Secretary Yuan Shiping, on behalf of the school, expressed heartfelt thanks to the Class of 1981 alumni for their care for their alma mater and affection for the school.

During their return visit, the alumni also toured the university history museum and the High-Speed Train Research Center, taking commemorative photos at places where they once studied and lived.

Alumni are the brightest name card of their alma mater, and the alma mater is always a warm home for its alumni. The school will continue to do well in alumni liaison work, build platforms for cooperation and exchange, progress hand in hand with alumni, and jointly contribute to the development of the transportation industry.

First Review: Yuanyuhao Wang  Second Review: Xiaodong Chen Third Review: Yuan Li