Dr. Phylis Lan Lin's Pillars of Life

HTTP://WWW.UINDY.EDU/APPLIED-BEHAVIORAL-SCIENCES/SOCIAL-WORK/LIN/INDEX

S O URCE : UINDY .E DU/ / PHY L IS L ANL IN (2 0 1 9 ) S E E A LS O : M EET TH E FO U NDER C O M PENDIU M , 2 02 0 I S S UU . CO M/P HYL I S - L A N- LI N)

(O NL I NE :

Founder of the Department of Social Work at UIndy

D R . PHY LIS LA N LIN, MEET THE FOUND ER F OR E W OR D : F OUND ER OF T HE D E PA R T ME NT OF S OC I A L W OR K A T UI ND Y • • • • •

Part I: Dr. Phylis Lan Lin’s Pillars of Life (pp. 1-21) Part II: Biography Part III: Career Part IV: Family and Mentors Appendix and Related Links

( with Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work BSW & MSW students and faculty)

1

Part I: Dr. Phylis Lan Lin’s Pillars of Life (pp. 1-21) “As an immigrant woman, I think education is my best asset; family is my best anchor; work is my best identity; service is my spirit, and most of all, my cultural heritage is my soul.”—Phylis Lan Lin (2005) Foreword by Caterina Cregor Blitzer, International Education Consultant

(With Caterina Cregor Blitzer—Dr. Lin’s Mentor) Meet the Founder Founder of the University of Indianapolis’ Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work Phylis Lan Lin, Ph.D., the founder of the University of Indianapolis’ Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work, is a friend - and a mentor - for all seasons. In the 1990’s we forged a collaboration that has become a friendship with the characteristics of what Dr. Lin, in sociological terms, identifies as hallmarks of “healthy family”: commitment, appreciation, good communication, coping with crisis and stress through good times and hard times, and, I would add: continuous inspiration.

I know I am in good company in deriving inspiration, and thoughtful encouragement, from this ‘mover and shaker’: an eminent scholar who garners respect locally and globally through publications in English and Chinese. She is truly a living legend in Indiana’s Asian American community. Indiana was experiencing a growing influx of foreign born from Asia, Mexico, Central America, and Africa when Dr. Lin joined the board of directors of the International Center of Indianapolis, an organization I directed from 1995 to 2006. She came highly recommended by community leaders intent on developing resources and programs to help Indianapolis become a global city that welcomes people from around the world. I learned first-hand that Dr. Lin goes far beyond expectations in delivering on programs that challenge participants to broaden their horizons and understanding of diverse cultures. This is how you build a welcoming campus and community, helping newcomer and host alike acquire cultural competencies.

I have learned that Dr. Lin’s assignments for students, friends, and colleagues, are opportunities for growth. The assignments I have embraced, perhaps tentatively at first, have brought me renewal and inspiration. Telling her story is the best assignment of all. Hers is a story worth telling. I am grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at the University of Indianapolis’ 2

Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work, Communications and Marketing, and University Archives to share elements of Dr. Lin’s life’s story as well as links to her continuing scholarly work and leadership efforts that circle the globe.

It is an immense honor to invite you to ‘Meet the Founder’ of the Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work. May you be inspired by her vision, integrity, and passion.

In 2019 Dr. Lin and I collaborated with UIndy colleagues to present – online - “Meet the Founder” an overview of her life story, career at UIndy, scholarly work, impactful leadership, and guiding principles. Now in 2020 there are more chapters for Dr. Lin to add to this biography: Dr. Lin’s pillars of life are in full evidence today in her response to personal and universal challenges.

April 2020 - June 2020 Foreword by Dr. G. Ben Lantz, Former President of University of Indianapolis Phylis, it would be difficult to describe how much gratitude Mary Sue and I feel to you for the contributions you made to the life of the university through the years and, particularly, during our tenure there. The global awareness, cultural life, and the willingness to leap forward to explore the new and untraveled roads were all enhanced at the university due to your efforts and courage!

Thank you.

I would be remiss if I stopped without noting the fact that as much we appreciated what you did for the university, we are even more grateful for the wonderful friendship we have enjoyed with you and the treasure of memories of special times we have experienced, memories that brighten our reflective moments more times than you might imagine. Thank you.

Thank you for your warm words and recollections of some of our achievements together. I have enjoyed reading your expansive and wonderful summation of the sources of the impetus, strength and vision underlying and enabling your marvelous and impactful journey.

The book, Dr. Phylis Lan Lin: Meet the Founder Compendium, is beautiful! I had read much of it on line but have enjoyed the hard cover edition even more. Physically, it is attractively designed and brightly colored. The pictures were complementary and telling.

Obviously, the content is the most important feature. What a story -- What a life! You have clearly done in less than one lifetime enough to fill two or more for most people although it would be hard to find many could do so much even then.

You have made a positive impact on literally everything or person you have touched and in your COMPENDIUM you have not only told your readers the story of your life and accomplishments, but you have also affirmed the ingredients that comprised the foundation upon which you built your life. Your parents, culture, education, your faith and more were involved, bricks upon bricks giving you the stability and confidence to do all that you have done. Looking at our world today one can only wish people would have the Foundation you received and built. The last part of that sentence is as important as the former, namely it wouldn't have been possible had you not taken those "bricks" one by one and built them into a beautiful life!

I have highly admired your life and accomplishments and felt privileged to have participated in some of them. One of the instincts we share is "If you see a possibility, actualize it! Assume that it can be done and do it!" Another way of expressing this is - we have confidence in our vision and are impatient to see it materialized!

That action orientation unsettled some of our colleagues who preferred long, leisurely discussions of positives and negatives before even the pursuit of the possibility itself. Optimism and energetic determination permeated your vision and led to its achievement. You are a model indeed!

June-October 2020

3

(With President G Ben Lantz and Dr. Bob Vernon at the Social Work Program accreditation celebration banquet, 1997)

Foreword by Dr. Beverley Pitts, Former President of University of Indianapolis “Dr. Lin has been a blessing to this university at all levels. She has educated and mentored hundreds of students, positively enriching and affecting their lives. She has brought her rich culture from Taiwan to our campus through art shows, book signings by authors, renowned painters and their countless performances on campus. [...] She is the quintessential ambassador for the University of Indianapolis, showcasing our university to many and teaching us all about Asian culture and beliefs.” Toni Peabody, Letter of Nomination “Simply put, whether at home or abroad, Phylis Lan Lin is a remarkable intercultural and interfaith ambassador for this university.” —President Beverley Pitts Citation for

2008 Recipient of the Jerry Israel Interfaith Service Award

4

(With President Beverley Pitts at the Jerry Israel Interfaith Service Award Banquet)

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

DR. PHYLIS LAN LIN'S PILLARS OF LIFE (PP. 3-21)?

“Dr. Lin has a strong desire to be recognized, not for herself, but for the strength and value of what she believes in. Her values are reflected in the programs she has implemented, the beauty she has brought to the physical environment of the campus, and through her mentoring role with students and faculty.”—Interview with Dr. Mary Moore, Associate Provost of

Accreditation, Assessment, Ed. Innovation and Chief International Officer, University of Indianapolis, May 2006 1. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, THE GRASS BENDS 2. LEARN FROM YOUR ROLE MODELS 3. EDUCATION FOR SERVICE 4. BECOMING AN INTEGRATED WOMAN 5. BUILDING A HEALTHY FAMILY AND FAMILY STRENGTHS 6. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE 7. EMBRACE CULTURAL RELATIVISM 8. PURSUING SUCCESSFUL AGING AND QUALITY OF LIFE 9. BEING HUMAN: THE FOUR H'S 10. FIVE C'S FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT 11. ENVISIONING CULTURAL DUALISM 12. TURNING WEAKNESS INTO STRENGTH 13. VISION, INTEGRITY, AND PASSION (THE VIP MODEL) 5

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ 1. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, THE GRASS BENDS (风动草偃) Born in Taiwan. Born in 1942 in Taichung, Taiwan, Dr. Lin came to America in 1966 upon graduation from Tunghai University.

She studied in Montana and Missouri and taught at the University of Indianapolis from 1973-2018. It was her parents who encouraged her to study in the U.S. She recalls her father saying, “We live on a small island just like a frog that lives in a well (井底之蛙). You only see that much of the sky. You must jump out of the well and go to America to see the big sky country.”

(with daughter Toni, son-in-law Sean Ash and grandchildren Sophia, Layton, & Sloan; with husband Leon & Mom at Mom’s 100th Birthday in 2018; with Mom in 1943)

A Child’s Name Reveals Parental Expectations. “Dr. Lin’s father gave her, the first born of her five siblings, a beautiful Chinese name from the Confucius classic, “Tsai-Fong” (采風) which means “When the wind blows, the grass bends.” (風動 草偃). Since Dr. Lin was the first born, her father expected her to be the role model for her younger siblings. She is the “wind” who leads the way.

Dr. Lin exemplifies the model of “servant leadership,” described by Kristeen Ruddle, “At any given time, Dr. Lin is involved in countless organizations and is elbow deep in a variety of projects. One might wonder if there is any connection between the seemingly unrelated events that consume her precious time.

Dr. Lin says her greatest joy comes from serving others. When considering how to spend her time, she always asks if and how many people will benefit from it. If she can do one thing that will positively affect many people, then she knows she has spent her time wisely. Her greatest sense of accomplishment comes not from awards and recognition, but from the feedback of students and others that have been positively affected by her efforts.”

K R I ST E NE R UDD LE ’9 7 UNIV E R SI T Y OF I NDI ANAPOLI S R E F LE C T OR : “ T SAI - F ONG W HE N T HE W I ND BLOW S T HE GR ASS BE ND S: DR . PHY LI S LAN LI N” (Dr. Phylis Lan Lin: Meet the Founder Compendium , pp. 7-16) 6

1. LEARN FROM YOUR ROLE MODELS (向你的点範们学习） Learning Leadership. “My childhood provided me opportunities to learn a leader’s qualities, including being a role model, trustworthiness, love, and loyalty. My mother is one of the most successful women physicians in Taiwan. She is my role model and hero. I remember she said to me once, “I am the crab. All my nurses are my legs. We must work together for the crab to move forward.” This statement has been imprinted in my mind since I was young. I learned that a leader must be a team player, and a leader must work harmoniously with his or her co-workers. My mother treated her nurses just like her daughters.

It was a family concept. I have extended this idea of “family” to my work team and to my students, since I started my teaching career 31 years ago.” —“On Leadership” 1-9-04 Women’s Leadership seminar. School for Adult Learning (Compendium, pp.

149-154) “A champion is someone who can take charge in life (including of one’s beliefs, feelings, and actions) and who has made the commitment to do something with passion, to do one’s best, and to be proud of what has been accomplished.” —“On Becoming a Champion,” the 2012 Sino-American Joint Program Commencement Ceremony at the Ningbo Institute of Technology (NIT), Zhejiang, China Ningbo Institute of Technology (NIT) Joint Program Cohort 8, Class of 2012 in Ningbo, China (Compendium , pp. 347-356) and keynote speech at the 2016 at Cross-Strait EMBA Elites Conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Compendium , pp. 134148)

(Dr. Lin’s parents in Czech Republic and Lake Tahoe) 3. EDUCATION FOR SERVICE (教育以服务为本） Education for Service. “Her mother was an ophthalmologist, and her father owned a pharmaceutical company. Her father and mother worked together to develop an eye medicine to cure an eye disease prevalent among Taiwanese rural children.

The medication was patented and produced for free use in Taiwan through her mother’s volunteer services for school children for many years. Dr. Lin learned “humanitarianism” （人文主义）early on. She learned about the importance of giving to others from her parents, a lesson which has always been a part of her life in higher education.” —Interview with Dr. Phylis Lan Lin, April 20, 2006 by Kristene Ruddle, MSW (Compendium , pp. 7-8) She shared a key value in common with the University of Indianapolis long before she arrived on campus in 1973: Education for Service. “My whole idea of education is service. I try to bring my part of the world to Indiana and Indiana to the world.

Through the promotion of cultural understanding, we will realize more about our humanity. All intellectuals have a moral obligation to promote understanding.” —University of Indianapolis is host of seminar on China: Scholars from China, Taiwan and U.S. will gather to cultivate understanding. Indianapolis Star, September 29, 1995, p. 23

7

(With students at the Zhejiang University—Ningbo Institute of Technology)

4. BECOMING AN INTEGRATED WOMAN (成为“整合性的女性“) Integrated Women. “The idea of ‘integrated women’ as role models, evolved from the example of women we emulate.” Dr. Lin and her close colleague, Dr. Mary Moore, did a study on “Integrated Women: A Study of College Women’s View on Marriage, Family, and Career” in 1985. “An integrated woman is a career woman who can interplay the meanings of feminist, traditionalist or androgynous within her life by combining behaviors and attitudes from different orientations.

The concept of integrated women enables researchers to break through the limitations encountered in the labeling of women.

There seems to be consensus among college students today that their jobs in the future will not interfere with the well-being of their families. Most women students prefer a dual-career and egalitarian family pattern.” —Phylis Lan Lin and Mary C. Moore, 1985, “Integrated Women: A Study of College Women’s Views on Combining Marriage, Family, and Career.” Proceedings of Indiana Academy of Social Sciences, 19, 146-52; Phylis Lan Lin, 1990, “Working women in America: Choice and Challenges.”

In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Women Human Resources, pp. 15-60 (Compendium , pp. 131-134)

(Leaving for America for a life-time journey on August 18, 1966) Balancing Career and Family. Throughout her full-time teaching career spanning 46 years, Dr. Lin strived to be an “integrated woman.” She pointed out that “For most women work is both a choice and necessity: it is a source of financial security and independence, of personal accomplishment and fulfillment, and of professional growth and development. Overall, this commitment to a career is accompanied by women’s belief that their jobs will not interfere with the well-being of their 8

families even though women show a moderate willingness to modify family roles to meet career demands. A sense of personal integration is found by working through the stress between what is expected and what will be accepted in any particular situation.” Good stress management skills are part of the survival kit for any career woman in the world.

“Instead of stopping at the crossroads of career versus family, and marriage, integrated women have the ability and opportunity to combine career, family, and marriage. They are career-oriented without rejecting marriage or family.”

Dr. Lin and Dr. Mary Moore’s study (1983) found that over three-quarters of American women college students planned to marry, have children, and pursue a career upon graduation. Dr. Lin stressed that marriage is an option for women. She also emphasized that “being single and a career woman can be just as fulfilling as being a married career -oriented woman with children or without children. Life is a choice.” —Phylis Lan Lin, 1996, “Integrated Women: A Conceptual Framework.” In Women and Work, edited by P. J. Dubeck & K. Borman, pp. 128-131. (Compendium , pp. 131-134) 5. BUILDING A HEALTHY FAMILY AND FAMILY STRENGTHS Family, the Cornerstone of Society. “We are born into families, grow up in families, and create new families for future generations. The family is the cornerstone for personal growth and community development.” —Phylis Lan Lin, 1996,

Marriage and the Family

(At the wedding on May 30, 1970; at with Dr. Lin’s extended family at her Mom’s 100th anniversary)

Defining a Healthy Family. Dr. Lin wrote several books on the subject, including Marriage and the Family (1982, 1986, 1996), Characteristics of a Healthy Family (1987). She did research and published “Characteristics of a Healthy Family and Family Strengths: A Cross-Cultural Study” (1987). “”Family strengths” has been used to describe the family resources of adaptability and integration, which denote a happy, successful and stable family. “Healthy family” refers to a healthy, comfortable, intimate, harmonious, warm, and well-balanced family life. “Healthy” encompasses a much broader meaning with respect to harmonious relations and successful functioning so that both the individual and the family’s needs can be met.” — Phylis Lan Lin, “Characteristics of a Healthy Family and Family Strengths: A Cross-Cultural Study” (1987) Characteristics of a “Healthy Family.” Every family has problems, including healthy families. Healthy families can cope and adjust well to demands of daily life. Further, Dr. Lin made a bold statement that “The definition of a healthy family is not based solely on the structure of the family, hence, even a single-parent family can be considered a healthy family if the family’s needs are met, and stresses are managed through positive mechanisms. A healthy family is a stress -resistant family in that such a family is able to function at its fullest capacity, and is able to cope with demands of daily life.” —Phylis Lan

Lin (1994, pp. 9-24) (Compendium, pp. 259-270) Attaining the characteristics of “healthy family”: commitment, togetherness, appreciation, good communication, and coping with crisis and stress has been a goal in Dr. Lin’s personal life. "My family (parents, husband, daughter, siblings, and in-laws) are my cornerstone for survival and growth. We are very close. We experience our family strengths in good times and hard 9

times. We always draw strength from our family's closeness, in both good times and hard times." –Phylis Lan Lin, Reflections

(October 23, 2019)

Dr. Lin’s family is ready to celebrate her 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2020. Dr. Lin notes with a laugh, “My family is not perfect, but we are healthy and happy.” Inspired by her sociological discussions on marriage and family, there are two “mottos” carved on wooden plates hanging on her kitchen wall—“Be Reasonable: Do It My Way,” and “My house is CLEAN enough to be healthy and DIRTY enough to be happy.”

6. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Humor Puts People at Ease. We all have encountered stress and strain in life, and we have learned that “laughter is the best medicine.” Dr. Lin likes to crack jokes and LOL. She is a good storyteller and her sense of humor puts people at ease in encounters in person and through her writing. Her busy life brings in, inevitably, high stress. Dr. Lin said humor and letting go have helped her think clearly under stress and remain calm. She said having a sense of humor keep her flexible and open minded during difficult times. A good laugh is a powerful biochemical exercise as well. Laughter is good medicine for both the body and the mind.

(with grandson, Layton and the rock angel made by Dr. Lin’s sister, Christi in 1969)

7. EMBRACE CULTURAL RELATIVISM (客观的“文化相对论”) Encountering Immigrants. From 1973 onward, Professor Lin brought a sense of ‘cultural relativism’ to her teaching, scholarship and leadership at UIndy. There were few persons of Asian descent living in Indianapolis in the early 1970’s, a time when Marion County’s foreign-born population was 1.45%. It has now grown to 9.1%, according to US Census data in 2010. census.gov/quick facts/marioncountyindiana Cross-cultural understanding. The arrival of hundreds of students from China on UIndy’s campus beginning in 2006 prompted a heightened awareness of the importance of cultural competence for both the Chinese students and their hosting community of students, faculty and staff. In an address to graduates of NIT, she shared understanding born of her experience and research. “Today, I am not giving you advice but presenting a perspective that I have cherished when I interact with people from different parts of the world. I am seeing that we have something in common, hoping to use the concept 10

of cultural relativism as a motto to encourage each other to enhance mutual understanding and self-cultivation in a global economy and the multicultural world where we reside.

(at Zhejiang University—NIT) Cultural relativism means looking at how the elements of a culture fit together, without judging those elements as superior or inferior, right or wrong. The principle of cultural relativism is the foundation of all harmonious human relations, at a micro or macro level.” —“Learn to Embrace Cultural Relativism” The 2010 Sino-American Joint Program Commencement Ceremony at

The Ningbo Institute of Technology (NIT), Zhejiang, China, June 20, 2010 (Compendium, pp. 327-338)

Understanding across cultures, cultural relativism, is foundational to her research as a scholar in the complex field of sociology and as a higher education global leader. In her classes and through academic and cultural programs, generations of students gained cultural knowledge and understanding. Graduates of the University of Indianapolis Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work programs will have the knowledge needed to work, live, and pursue economic and social justice in a diverse and global society.

It was during her childhood in Taiwan that Professor Lin’s earliest inculcation of values of diversity and inclusion began. S he experienced her parents’ openness and acceptance of people of diverse backgrounds, their servant-leadership and generosity.

Since her arrival in the United States, Dr. Lin has proudly shared her native culture while embracing American culture.

“Dr. Lin’s Chinese name seems to describe her way of life. While others only daydream of the things they want to accomplish, Dr. Lin works tirelessly until her goals are accomplished. Her resourcefulness is astounding because she builds and maintains professional and personal relationships with such a variety of prestigious individuals and organizations all over the world. In her endeavors, she sparks inspiration in almost everyone she meets. Through her intense focus and unmatched work ethic, she is certain to have a great impact in any way she is inclined. “When the wind blows, the grass bends,” and Dr. Lin is the wind.” —Interview with Dr. Phylis Lan Lin, May 10, 2006 by Kristene Ruddle, MSW (Compendium, pp. 7-17)

11

(at the International Symposium on Service-Learning in China; at a special lecture (“Megatrends and the Future of Work at the National Zhongshan University in Taiwan; in Dr. Lin’s office with Master Au Ho-nien’s calligraphy)

8. PURSUING SUCCESSFUL AGING AND QUALITY OF LIFE (迈向成功的老化与提升生活的品质) Defining Successful Aging. Now in her late 70s, Dr. Lin, on the one hand, is starting to enjoy her retirement and at the same time, asking herself how to age successfully: how can we make our ‘old age’ successful and happy? Dr. Lin’s favorite quote on aging is from George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” At present, Dr. Lin’s research has entered a new phase, targeting the global aging issue and exploring “successful 12

aging.” High-quality aging is more about the relationship between the elderly and stress than about the prolongation of human life. There are many definitions of “successful aging,” but the simplest definition may be “to continue to live a fulfi lled life.” Then we ask, what may assist you to fulfill your life?

(at home in Indianapolis) Through an Interdisciplinary Lens. “Once again, with ’successful aging,’ Dr. Lin underlines the interdisciplinary study on stress and stress management, including not only sociology but also all the possible links, embodying cytology, immunology, biotech, medical aspects, and social welfare. When we pay close attention to our environment, understating ourselves without being self-centered, being loving and wise, and making individual and joint efforts together, quality of life for the entire human race can be improved.” —Interview with Professor Phylis Lan Lin: Self-Understanding Without SelfCenteredness, Interviewed and written in Chinese by XU Yali, Youth Literary (pp47-49), November 2014 (Translated by Linda Gao, September 6, 2016) (Compendium , pp. 27-30) For further information, see Stress Management: A Total Approach Marriage and Family Stress Management: Improving Quality of Life by Phylis Lan Lin, 2003 (全方位壓力管理: 提升生活的品質，藍采風 ） (https://www.books.com.tw/products/0010226887) The Five Fs/Hs Model of Successful Aging. In ‘The Five Fs/Hs of Successful Aging, the Proactivity Model, Stress Management, and Quality of Later Life Conceptualization,’ Professor Lin posits that ‘Healthy and successful aging is possibly the most important research and social and public health policy issue related to aging since the 1980’s. … the presentation synthesizes theories and intervention strategies on successful aging with a conceptualization framework: life trajectories in life course --> objective and subjective definitions of aging --> determinants of successful aging --> the Five Fs/Hs Model (fitness, financial, family, fortitude, and faith, or physical health, financial health, social health, mental health and spiritual health) --> effective stress management and the Proactivity Model --> successful aging --> intervention strategies --> quality of life. —“The Five Fs/Hs of Successful Aging, the Proactivity Model, Stress Management and Quality of Later Life Conceptualization,” November 2, 2015 (Compendium, pp. 233-234) 9. BEING HUMAN: THE FOUR H'S （以人为本的 4 个“H”） • • • •

The Four H’s. Professor Lin refers to four cardinal words that begin with H as pillars of her life: Humanism Happiness Holism Humility

13

(

(With children at the Christel DeHaan Academy in Cape Town, South Africa)

(At home with Applied Sociology students; with OD PhD students at Assumption University, Bangkok)

Following Confucian Teaching. “Time flies, I have lived in America for 52 years. I am very clear with my identity. Who am I? Chinese? American? Neither. I am a Chinese-American. I have the best of two worlds. My Asian heritage cultivates my Confucian values (humanism and humility) and moral teachings (work ethics, filial piety, and loyalty), and my assimilation to American culture cultivates my scientific mind (critical thinking and research skills), democratic values (leadership styl e and civic engagement), and volunteerism (community service and social responsibility). I can grasp the best of the two worlds and keep an integrated yet balanced framework between the east and the west. I am neither Chinese nor American. I am a Chinese-American. I came, I integrate, and I am part of the American fabric.” —November 8, 2018, Welcome Remarks at the Chinese American Museum DC Gala Event, Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, D.C. (Compendium , pp. 155-158) “I am supported by life-long friendships. I am blessed by having a good family. They form the pillars of my life. Most of all, my parents taught me the importance of humanity. My father left me three words: truthfulness, beauty and goodness (真善美).

He taught me the essence of humanity and integrity.” — “On Leadership,” January 9, 2004 (Compendium , pp. 149-154)

14

She touches upon humility in this commencement speech in 2017: “Humility （谦虚） is relationship-building; it is not about self. Only through the practice of humility can one really become an authentic and servant leader. Over the years, I have come to believe that practicing humility does not mean belittling yourself but fosters inner strength. To practice humility is ultimately to have the ability to recognize who you are and to make yourself an instrument of change.” Commencement Speech at University of Indianapolis–Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University Joint Program, June 18, 2017 (Compendium , pp. 383-389) Humility Embraces Truthfulness, Goodness, and Inner Beauty. “Always think of yourself less, but do not think less of yourself.” Dharma Master Cheng Yan (Tzu Chi), who was one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2011 said "To give selflessly with a genuine heart is to be true. To contribute to others unconditionally is to be good. When one is both true and good, beauty is radiated." —"Truth, Goodness, and Beauty," the 2011 Sino-American Joint Program Commencement Ceremony at the Ningbo Institute of Technology (NIT), Zhejiang, China, June 21, 2011. (Compendium , pp.

339-345) “Humility is the basic foundation of all virtues; admitting what you don’t know is knowing.” This suggests that the best leaders are humble leaders. In our Asian teaching, self-growth must be instilled first by self-cultivation and self-awareness. All great leaders possess humility in their actions and deeds. Mahatma Gandhi’s advice should be well taken by us: “It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. Nonviolence is impossible without humility.” —Opening Remarks: “Embracing and Cultivating Humility,” AODN (Asian Organization Development Network) Summit September 23–26, 2016 Shanghai, China.

(Compendium , pp. 137-142)

(At Angkor Wat, Cambodia; at Columbia Club, Indianapolis)

10. FIVE C'S FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT （5 个“C”的压力管理法） Controlling Life by Controlling Stress. “Professor Lin’s interest in researching stress can be traced back to her mother’s expectation of her going to medical school. Though she went against her mother’s will, Dr. Lin finds herself assisting doctor s in better understanding patients based on her studies in medical sociology. Though not a practitioner of medicine, Dr. L in explores studies on social-psychological aspects of illness behavior. She gave workshops to interns in family medicine and workshops to social work practitioners on foster care in the 1980s in Taiwan.

In her latest publication this year, Stress Management: Improving Quality of Life, Dr. Lin no longer views stress purely as an alien intruder but a possible component of quality of life once effectively managed and positively converted.

15

(Dr. Lin’s books on Stress Management and Quality of Life)

The Five C’s for Stress Management. Psychology professor Suzanne C. Kobasa uses 3 C’s to describe the ‘stress hardy’ personality: i.e., commitment, control, and challenge. Apart from valuing commitment, keeping the situation under control, and rising to challenges, Dr. Lin adds “change” and “charge.” “Change” means remaining calm in the face of changes, and “charge” suggests shouldering responsibilities when called to and knowing when to move forward and backward. After knowing oneself, a person can develop an ideal personality, free from stress, if trying to work on their own will.” —Interview with Professor Phylis Lan Lin: Self-Understanding Without Self-Centeredness Interviewed and written in Chinese by XU Yali, Youth Literary (pp 47-49), November 2014 (Translated by Linda Gao, September 6, 2016). (Compendium, pp. 27-30) 11. ENVISIONING CULTURAL DUALISM（东西方文化兼容的取向） Blending East and West. “My Asian heritage cultivates my Confucian values (humanism and humility) and moral teachings (work ethic, filial piety, and loyalty), and my assimilation to American culture cultivates my scientific mind (critical thinking and research skills), democratic values (leadership style and civic engagement), and volunteerism (community service and social responsibility). I can grasp the best of the two worlds and keep an integrated yet balanced framework between the East and the West. I am blessed to have been socialized in both cultures. I can see in myself the values and practices of the two cultures.” — Learning to Embrace Cultural Relativism, 2010 (Compendium, pp. 327-338)

(At the Sino-American Joint Program Senior Banquet at UIndy)

16

(At the East Meets West Concert in Shanghai; at Zhejiang Yuexiue University in Shaoxiang, Zhejiang, China)

The Doctrine of the Mean. Dr. Lin’s life philosophy follows the “The Doctrine of the Mean 中庸之道” (a well-known Confucian teaching that denotes “moderation, rectitude, objectivity, sincerity, honesty and propriety. The guiding principle is that one should never act in excess.”) She stresses objectivity as the key word: instead of taking sides, “we vs. they,” “inclusion vs. exclusion,” “East vs. West,” “men vs. women,” “better or worse,” and so on. Being an immigrant in America, Dr. Lin never forgets her roots, yet she embraces the greatness of American values.

Once again, in her 2011 Commencement speech to the graduates of the joint program, Dr Lin brought up “cultural relativism.” “…You are very fortunate to have received two kinds of education (Chinese and American) and to have received two sets of degrees (NIT and UIndy). You have the freedom to choose. What you have chosen today will become part of you tomorrow. We hope you will make the best use of your dual assets and to continue the path of greater learning, commitment to serving your community, and resilience to the ever-changing and challenging world… You will be the movers and shakers and the promising leaders in a society where you will encounter many things that you have learned on both campuses…” —“Truth, Goodness, and Beauty”, the Sino-American Joint Program Commencement Ceremony at the Ningbo Institute of Technology (NIT), Zhejiang, China, June 21, 2011 (Compendium , pp. 339-346) 12. Turning Weakness into Strength. （转弱为优） “First, I am short. My disadvantage is that I cannot reach things higher than 5 ft. tall. However, my height is also my asset because my physicality has never presented a threat to anyone. I can immediately put people at ease when I converse with 17

them, especially if we are standing up. So I’ve always said, “Let’s sit down and talk.” I figured that you won’t be able to see much of the height difference between us while sitting down.

Second, I am a woman. My disadvantage is that, whether in America or elsewhere, I may experience gender harassment or discrimination at work. However, being a woman, I am more expressive, gentle, objective, and possibly more intelligent than my male counterpart. I work hard and sometimes I use that “motherly instinct” at work. I get more things done than my male colleagues and I am able to exercise a special kind of leadership skill that encompasses vision (mothers know how to make plans), integrity (who doesn’t trust mothers?) and passion (mothers are the most affectionate people on earth), (In short, this is my leadership model – the VIP model).

Third, I am Chinese. My disadvantage is that, in America, I am a minority and an outsider. I have been excluded from job and scholarship opportunities. However, being Chinese in America, I can make the best use of my Chinese heritage – 5,000 years of a very rich cultural heritage. If nothing else, I speak Chinese, but most Americans don’t. With my cultural heritage, I se e myself as a cultivated, well-educated person who practices the highest degree of filial piety with a respect for the elderly, and I keep two canons in my daily life—humanism and humility. I enrich my American students in the classrooms with Confucianism and Chinese arts. I think I have accomplished a lot however; I always think there is much more for me to do and learn. My Chinese philosophy in life is that “I always think of myself less, but I never think less of myself.” Service is my motto. I used to be very selfish. When I first arrived in America I thought I would return to Taiwan someday and serve only “my people.” However, Indiana transformed me. Now I want to serve not just certain people, but all people. I am very conscious of my three traits. The day I stepped foot on American soil, I told myself: “I must turn my disadvantages into advantages and turn my weaknesses into strengths.” —A speech made at the “Education and Work Life: A Chinese Immigrant’s Experience” workshop, Indianapolis, 2005 (Compendium, pp. 225-230)

(at the Sino-American Joint Program Commencement; At the Chinese American Museum Gala Event at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, DC)

13. VISION, INTEGRITY, AND PASSION (THE VIP MODEL) （“VIP” 领导模式） Professor Lin shares her Vision Integrity Passion bywords in a 2009 commencement speech. Her comments apply as well to the hundreds of graduates of the University of Indianapolis that benefit from her example and her teaching: “Do we understand what “VIP” stands for? The conventional definition for “VIP” is “very important person.” Yes, we want to make you a very important person in this world. But today, I would like to take the opportunity to put a twist on the acronym and offer a new meaning for “VIP”: “Vision, Integrity, and Passion.”

18

Vision. We have been and will continue building this joint program with a vision of the future. We are training a new breed of work force and intellectuals for tomorrow’s China. We want to train a group of young students who can foresee society’s needs and who will position themselves well with the skills and knowledge needed for their future careers. We are building this joint program with a vision that the graduates will be equipped with a sound foundation for them to realize their potential, to be able to find a niche in a most challenging environment. We want to help you to believe that you are part of something bigger than yourselves. Whether you stay in China or return to the U.S. to continue your graduate studies upon graduation, our goal is to help you to grasp the best of two cultures (Chinese and American), to become a global citizen, to become a change agent, and to strengthen the quality not just of your own lives but also of the world that surrounds you.

Integrity. Trust is one of the most important ingredients of integrity. It is imperative to have mutual trust in the joint program. We must be trusted by our students, their parents, and our educational institutions. A high-quality program is based on the integrity of leaders and the institutions where the program is delivered. We trust and believe in ourselves and believe that we will be trusted. Integrity refers to values regarding work, productivity, matters of right and wrong, fairness, and relationships.

Passion. Finally, we are passionate; we are committed, and we are engaged. We are ready to educate a new breed of Chinese college students. Several students have asked me, “Dr. Lin, why are you so energetic and tireless?” I reply, “I love what I am doing, and I am in love with what I want to do. In fact, I am passionate with the mission I gave myself.”

A senior lecturer at MIT, Jonathan Byrnes, said one of the essential characteristics to lead paradigmatic change is the capac ity for passion. He said, “First and foremost, you need a burning drive to make things better. Change management is a grueling process, and passion will see you through it.” —Harvard Business School “Working Knowledge” archive, 9-6-2005 Passion provides the motivation, energy, and commitment to do things rigorously. Whether you are planning to reach a specific life goal, reach a certain level of perfection in your work, make good money, fulfill or abide by your parents’ wishes, help people in crisis, or make a positive impact on your society, you must, first and foremost, have a clear vision and strong passion and practice your deeds with integrity. Only then will you become an effective leader with the moral character for your endeavor.

“My dear graduates, today’s ceremony is a rite of passage in your adult lives. I have high hopes for you. You are a product of the VIP model. I hope you will continue to cultivate it with your traditional Chinese values and practice some of the American values you have cherished since you enrolled in the joint program.” —Phylis Lan Lin, PhD, Associate Vice President for International Partnerships, University of Indianapolis, Commencement Speech, June 19, 2009, Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang, China (Compendium , pp. 317-326)

19

(With students at the Au Ho-nien Museum at the University of Indianapolis)

(At the Sino-American Joint Program Senior Banquet)

* Epilogue by Dr. Phylis Lan Lin “Dr. Lin’s Chinese name seems to describe her way of life. While others only daydream of the things they want to accomplish, Dr. Lin works tirelessly until her goals are accomplished. Her resourcefulness is astounding because of how she builds and maintains professional and personal relationships with such a variety of prestigious individuals and organizations all over the world. In her endeavors, she sparks inspiration in almost everyone she meets. Through her intense focus and unmatched work ethic, she is certain to have a great impact in any way she is inclined. “When the wind blows, the grass bends,” and Dr. Lin is the wind.” —Interview with Dr. Phylis Lan Lin, May 10, 2006 by Kristene Ruddle, MSW The admiration and gratitude of her students, colleagues, collaborators, friends, and family, accompany Professor Emerita Phylis Lan Lin, ever intent on contributing to humanity, for decades to come. Dr. Lin spoke at the 2019 Social Work Students Orientation. She remarked to students, “All of you are going to be the new breed of social workers. Please join me as we look forward to our Social Work Program's 30th Anniversary in 2021. We will invite our alumni back to campus and listen to their success stories. Together, we will build a “VIP” Social Work Department in Indiana and beyond. We will thrive and fulfill our mission. I would like to add a final note here: Our profound gratitude to President B G Lantz for his vision and support for the birth of our Social Work Program at UIndy.” phylislanlin@gmail.com

20