An Unexpected Partnership

A friend’s passing connected her with the University community.
How the legacy she helped create has led to new opportunities for students.

Giving as a given

Yu Ru never thought about giving to West Chester University.

“Giving is always something people always have in mind,” she says. “It’s part of our nature, but we don’t always know how or where to donate our time and money.”

When her friend of five years – Dr. Xin Fan, a former professor of biology at the University – passed away suddenly, Yu attended a memorial service organized by her colleagues. She was moved by how much the school cares for its faculty, and how much the students care for their professors. In fall 2019, she joined the University as an adjunct professor at the urging of Dr. Linda (Xiaowei) Zhu, chair of the Department of Management, whom she met after Dr. Fan’s passing.

“I heard that the Department of Biology established a fund in Xin’s memory, and I got excited,” says Yu. “My motivation to give was first and foremost driven by tragedy, but the beauty of teaching is that I can pay respect to my friend – and sponsor a scholarship for the long run.” The Dr. Xin Fan Memorial Fund celebrates Dr. Fan’s excellence as a scientific scholar, performance artist, and athlete – scholarship recipients are biology majors who mirror her excellence.

But Yu didn’t stop there. In collaboration with Linda and Evan Leach, Dean of the College of Business and Public Management, she established the Business Management Department Operating Fund in 2019. In addition to supporting the growth of the memorial fund, she keeps half of her University pay and donates the rest to the operating fund.

Yu Ru

Adjunct Professor & Donor
Dr. Xin Fan Memorial Fund/Business Management Department Operating Fund

“My motivation to give was first and foremost driven by tragedy, but the beauty of teaching is that I can pay respect to my friend – and sponsor a scholarship for the long run.” – Yu Ru

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“Giving is always something people always have in mind,” Yu says. “It’s part of our nature, but we don’t always know how or where to donate our time and money.”

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