Teh-Kuang Chang works in a corner office in North Quad, surrounded by books and piles of file folders. The area looks lived in – which fits. The political science professor is celebrating his 90th birthday Tuesday, Sept. 15. Chang has spent 49 years as a Ball State faculty member.
Chang won’t be traveling far for his birthday celebration. On Tuesday, he will take a moment to celebrate his years of accomplishments with a birthday party at Cardinal Hall in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
Chang has devoted his entire life to international study, his students and the values of his adopted nation: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - a concept he used to teach in his American National Government class.
Chang was born in 1925 in Changting, a county in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian. He learned the English language and came to the United States with a bachelor’s degree in 1956 to finish his education.
He joined Ball State’s staff after earning his doctorate in international relations, and soon began carving out a legacy for himself by initiating the International, Asian, Latin American and African studies programs.
In 1996, Chang traveled to Africa for three weeks with a group of students to tour parts of the continent and learn about its political system. There, he presented Desmond Tutu, a civil rights activist and former archbishop of Cape Town with an award for promoting peace and education.
Significant names spill from Chang’s mouth as easily as some people talk about the weather.
He has come into contact with presidents and princes from all over the world, including U.S. presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. He even spoke at the White House during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama recently sent Chang a birthday card. He also received a handwritten birthday scroll from President Ma, the leader of Taiwan. It is already proudly displayed in front of one of Chang's bursting bookshelves.
President Paul W. Ferguson has also acknowledged Chang’s accomplishments.
“I marveled at his contagious enthusiasm for life and the commitment to living that life well,” Ferguson said in Chang’s memoir, “The Rainbow of Life: Around the World in 90 Years for Academy: 50 Years Teaching at Ball State University.”
See photos from his birthday celebration in our gallery.
In addition to a successful career, Chang also raised four children, who have found their own purposes in life. His daughters Angelin, Angel and Angelina have forged careers in music, fashion and health, which have earned them Grammy awards and international recognition. Chang’s only son, Angelo works in the White House with President Obama as a diplomat.
After almost 50 years of teaching, Chang has one piece of advice for students.
“Going to school for a grade is of no use, if you don’t have knowledge,” he said. “You must learn knowledge, study hard and practice. Learn one thing, get inspiration and then spread your knowledge.”
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