百年薪传，感恩前行
——政大建校百年感言

欣逢母校国立政治大学建校一百週年，身在海外的我，怀着深深的感恩，献上最诚挚的祝福。百年岁月，承载着歷代师长的心血，也见证了一代代政大人从校园走向世界的足跡。

回首当年在外交系求学的日子，我对世界充满好奇，也怀抱着投身外交、促进国际理解的理想。那时未曾想到，自己日后会在大洋彼岸落地生根，透过新闻、金融与社区服务，实践年轻时的志向。

当年，我带着梦想赴美，口袋裡只有五百美元。面对陌生的语言与生活环境，一切都得从头开始。生活虽然艰辛，我仍相信，只要肯学习、肯努力，就能一步一步找到自己的道路。母校给予我的知识与视野，也成為面对困难时的重要力量。

一九七九年，我创办美南日报，从一份週报起步，逐步发展美南新闻集团。四十多年来，我始终相信，媒体应当关怀人的处境，為社区传递可靠资讯，也為不同文化创造相互理解的机会。能够陪伴移民家庭在异乡安身立命，是我长年办报最珍惜的意义。

在媒体事业之外，我也参与创建环球第一银行（Global One Bank），将服务社区的理念延伸至金融领域。从报业走向银行，每一步都有新的挑战，也让我更深刻理解企业经营与社会责任的关係。我期盼透过金融服务，支持企业发展，帮助更多怀抱理想的人开创自己的事业。

其后，透过休斯敦国际贸易中心的工作，我持续推动商务、文化与民间交流。接待各国代表、协助企业认识市场、促进不同族裔合作，让我有机会将外交系所学，落实在一次次具体的交流之中。

人生中令我深感欣慰的一件事，是获任命為西非几内亚共和国驻休斯敦名誉总领事，完成了投身外交工作的宿愿。从外交系学生，到海外报人，再到承担促进国际友谊的职责，这条道路走了很久，却始终与当年的初心相连。这份荣誉更是一份责任，提醒我继续以真诚与行动，為不同国家与人民搭起沟通的桥梁。

能够获选為政大杰出校友，更是我深感珍惜的肯定。离开校园多年，仍能得到母校的鼓励，心中的感动难以言喻。这份荣耀，也让我想起求学时师长的教诲，以及一路扶持我的家人、朋友与工作伙伴。我期许自己继续努力，不辜负母校的肯定。

最近，我也即将出版新书《从五百元创建的美国梦》，记录赴美求学、创办媒体、投入金融与服务社区的人生歷程。写下这些故事，是希望留下奋斗中的真实感受，也向曾经帮助我的人表达感谢。愿年轻读者从中看见，即使起点有限，仍能凭着信念与努力，逐步开创人生。

值此母校百年华诞，我向歷代师长致上敬意，也向学弟妹送上祝福。愿你们珍惜求学时光，勇敢走向世界，保有好奇、诚实与善意。在追求理想之际，也愿意為他人、為社会多做一些事。

从五百美元出发，走到今天，我最深的感受是感恩。无论身在何处，政大人的身分始终是我的骄傲，求学时的初心也始终留在心中。

衷心祝愿母校国立政治大学百年薪火相传、桃李芬芳，在新的世纪裡，继续以教育照亮生命，以人才贡献世界。

A Century of Learning, a Lifetime of Gratitude
A Reflection on the Centennial of National Chengchi University

By Wea H. Lee
Founder, Southern News Group
Chairman, International Trade Center–Houston
Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Guinea in Houston

As National Chengchi University celebrates its centennial, I send my heartfelt congratulations from Houston, Texas. This milestone honors generations of dedicated educators and students whose contributions have reached far beyond the campus. For me, it is also a moment to reflect on how deeply my university years shaped the course of my life.

As a young student in the Department of Diplomacy, I was curious about the world and dreamed of helping people and nations understand one another. I could not have imagined that I would eventually make my home across the Pacific, pursuing that purpose through journalism, banking, and community service.

When I came to the United States, I had only five hundred dollars in my pocket. Everything had to begin anew—in an unfamiliar language, culture, and environment. Those early years were difficult, but I believed that learning and hard work would help me find my way. The knowledge and perspective I gained at NCCU gave me strength when the road ahead seemed uncertain.

In 1979, I founded the Southern Chinese Daily News. What began as a weekly newspaper gradually grew into Southern News Group. Throughout more than four decades in journalism, I have believed that a newspaper should help people understand their surroundings, give their communities a voice, and encourage understanding across cultures. Helping immigrant families build a sense of belonging has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.

My commitment to the community also led me into banking. I helped establish Global One Bank, extending that commitment into financial services. Moving from journalism into banking brought new challenges and a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities that come with running a business. My hope has been to support entrepreneurs and help others gain the opportunity to build something of their own.

Through my work with the International Trade Center–Houston, I have continued to promote business, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. Welcoming delegations, helping companies explore new markets, and bringing people from different backgrounds together have allowed me to put my early interest in diplomacy into practice.

One of the most meaningful moments of my life was my appointment as Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Guinea in Houston. It fulfilled a longstanding aspiration to serve in diplomacy. The journey from diplomacy student to overseas publisher and, eventually, to a consular role took many years, yet it remained connected to the same purpose. I regard this appointment as a responsibility to strengthen friendship and understanding through sincere, practical work.

Being selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of NCCU has been another deeply treasured honor. To receive recognition from my alma mater after so many years abroad was profoundly moving. It brought back memories of my teachers and reminded me of the family members, friends, and colleagues who helped me along the way. Their support is part of every achievement, and the university’s recognition inspires me to keep contributing.

My forthcoming book, Building the American Dream with Five Hundred Dollars, recounts this journey—from arriving in America with limited means to building media and banking enterprises and serving the community. In sharing these experiences, I hope to preserve an honest account of the struggles as well as the opportunities, and to express gratitude to those who helped me. Above all, I hope younger readers will see that modest beginnings need not limit what they can accomplish.

On this centennial occasion, I offer my sincere respect to the generations of educators who have sustained NCCU’s mission. To today’s students, I would say: treasure your years of learning, explore the world with courage, and remain curious, honest, and kind. As you pursue your ambitions, make room in your lives to help others.

Looking back on a journey that began with five hundred dollars, my deepest feeling is gratitude. Wherever life has taken me, I have remained proud to be an NCCU alumnus. The aspirations I first carried as a student continue to guide me today.

May National Chengchi University enter its second century with renewed purpose, nurturing generations who will enrich lives, strengthen understanding, and contribute to the world.