Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Shiho Itooka Nini Wu, junior in English education, teaches Chinese to Larry Ekhoff, PSU alumnus, in the Kansas Technology Center on Wednesday, March 26. Wu lectured on the first Chinese empress as part of a Chinese Culture Club event. The CCC meets every Wedesday.

In honor of Women's History Month, the Chinese Culture Club discussed the first empress of China, Wu Zetian, during its meeting this week.

Nini Wu, club president, says she felt this was a good time for her two-part presentation on the empress.

"In this first session, we will discuss how she went from a girl to empress," said Wu. "We will talk about her life as a girl, and in the next session we will talk about what she did once she became empress."

In this session, Wu discussed the legend of Wu Zetian being born of a golden dragon, her life in the palace before becoming empress, and how her real name is still unknown.

According to Wikipedia, Zetian (624-705 A.D.) ruled as empress of China for a total 35 years, and then formed her own dynasty in 690.

Larry Ekhoff, former Pitt State student, says he goes to the meetings to learn about the Chinese culture.

"I'm interested in various cultures, and Chinese is the most interesting and beautiful," Ekhoff said. "I've been studying Chinese language for a year and a-half now, and this helps a lot."

Wu says that each week, 10 to 15 members discuss many topics, from food to war tactics to business strategies. This week, however, only a handful of people came.

The Chinese Culture Club will meet at 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the U-Club to discuss two events in April. All of their regular meetings are posted through Bulk-E e-mail, and food and drinks are usually provided. Wu says the club welcomes new members.

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