Huang, Jenlin 黃仁霖 (1901-1983)
China's No.1 Meeter and Greeter
Huang Jenlin, a native of Anyi, Jiangxi(江西安義), was a senior general of the Chinese Nationalist Party. Huang was born in Shanghai. He first studied in Shanghai and Suzhou. In 1922, he traveled abroad to the United States and continued education, doing his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and his graduate studies at Columbia University from which school he received a master’s degree in politics and economics. During his time in the U.S., and after working Social Protection system and decided to participate in this field. When he returned to China, he served as a secretary at the Shanghai YMCA.
During wartime, Chao supervised OMEA(Officers' Moral Endeavor Association), the New Life Movement( as Director General), the Distribution of the Generalissimo's Award to the Wounded, and the War Area Service Corps, an entity that helped care for wounded soldiers, and oversaw transportation, propaganda, and other covert operations for the Nationalist Government . He also was the commander-in-chief of the Combined Service Forces from 1947 to 1956. As a greeter during wartime, Jenlin served as a tour guide for Wendell L. Wilkie, Henry A. Wallace, Roy Howard, Admiral Felix B. Stump, and many others.
Scanned copy of Memoirs of Jenlin Huang "China's Number One Meeter and Greeter"
Jenlin came from whose Western education began with his father’s generation. He had one older sister, Yung-tse Huang, and two younger brothers, Zen-Ziang Tan and Jen-zien Huang. Jenlin's father, Huang Ting-chen, was a telegrapher at Kiangsu who dispatched and received messages and later became the station master on the Peking-Mukden Railroad. His mother, Tan Woan-chin, was a disciplined and benevolent Chinese woman and artist who mastered musical instruments, painting, and poems. His family focused on his education from the time he was young and secured tuition for him to study abroad.
Coming to Vanderbilt
1922 arrival in Nashville from San Francisco
1922 arrival at San Francisco
Nashville Banners' report about the speech competition
In the summer of 1922 , Huang was accepted as a junior at Vanderbilt University, the school at which he began his studies in the U.S. During his first year, he experienced a language barrier, but Huang was not afraid of the new environment. He was sociable. Interacting with the seminary students, he improved his English skills and experienced the American culture.
With his strong social skills, he soon became a popular student in Wesley Hall. He shared Chinese culture and traditions with students and gave them Chinese goodies. His room was always filled with students who wanted to hear about China. One of the friends he made at Vanderbilt University was Dr. John R Steelman, who became President Truman’s assistant. Apart from studying, Jenlin was also actively involved in extracurricular activities. He participated in volleyball games, gave speeches about China, and immersed himself in the Literacy Society. Seeing his great potential and interest in public speaking, Professor Harries helped him prepare for speeches and taught him techniques. Later on, in 1924, his speech, “Sino-American Relationship - The Key to World Peace”, made him that year's winner of the Founder’s Medal for Oratory.
After Graduation
Jenlin Huang had two marriages. He married Dorothy (Qingshou Yu 餘慶壽 ) on October 18th, 1930. Dorothy gave birth to two sons, Samuel and David. However, Dorothy died in 1937 due to illness. He married his second wife, Lucille, in 1939. They had two daughters, Deborah and Julianna.
Below is Jenlin Huang's journey after his graduation
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1
Born 1901
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Study in Shanghai
1922
3
Vanderbilt University
1922
4
Columbia University
Graduate Studies
5
Detroit
RenLin joined a work-study program at the Ford Motor School to learn mechanisms while also being paid. He discovered that he was interested in the social conditions of the factory, especially management and labor problems. He left the job because he was not interested in selling Ford in Chine and the work was exhausting.
6
Cleveland Ohio
Huang became a candidate for Shanghai YMCA, and was offered a job including six months of training at YMCA in Cleveland. He worked at the main desk.
7
Shanghai 1926
Huang returned to Shanghai in October 1926. He worked at YMCA on Sze Chuen Road. He did regular secretary work and also prepared for students to go abroad for study. For example, choosing colleges and providing advices. He also worked with the Men's Club to open and operate a baby clinic, and soon became the president of the club. He decided to leave YMCA since YMCA refused to take care of refugees when revolutionary forces captured Shanghai. He felt that his voice was not heard. During his time at Shanghai, he also engaged and married Dorothy.
8
Taiwan 1927
Jen-lin Huang joined Soochow University Board in 1927 and participated in the reactivation of Soochow University in Taiwan. He became the the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Soochow University in 1951. During his time at Taiwan, he also was appointed to the board of directors of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. He solved the commercial shipping concerns and expanded the oceanic routes.
9
Nanjing
Huang joined OMEA on July 14, 1928. and took the position of secretary of OMEA(moral endeavor association). His main duty was to boost the morale of the Huang Poo cadets and officers. He introduced the idea of a self-service cafeteria system. During his years at OMEA, OMEA's influence expanded all over China. They also expanded OMEA to combat services and armies.
10
Chongqing 1934
During wartime, Huang was appointed as the Secretary General of the New Life movement on July 1, 1934, which "aimed at the promotion of rational living guided by virtues" (59, Huang) through improving farming, sanitation, and public health. It also offered basic services of cooking rice, delouse soldiers' clothes. treatment of scabies, and improved diet to soldiers. He established a New Life model village at Chongqing. Chongqing is also the headquarter of WASC(war area service corps).
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Kunming, Yunnan 1941
Huang moved the headquarter of WASC to Kunming around 1941 and took care of personnel. They established 32 hostels for American soldiers.
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Cairo 1943
Huang went to Cairo in November 1943 to manage Generalissimo's trip of attending the Cairo Conference. During his trip to Cairo, he met FDR and built a positive relationship with him.
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Honolulu, Hi
Huang started his orientation trip to US at Honolulu
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San Francisco
Huang arrived in San Francisco on March 29, 1947. He visited the headquarter of the Sixth Continental Army and looked over supply installations of the army, navy, and airforce.
15
Washington DC 1947
Huang met President Truman and General Marshall there.
16
New York
He visited the West Point Military Academy and learned about the structure and discipline.
17
Fort Meade
Huang visited the headquarters of the US Second Continental Army. During his Orientation trip to the US in 1947, he visited the army area in the continental United States. The IBM machines left him with the greatest impression, which he brought to China after this trip.
18
Mexico City, Mexico 1959
Huang became a candidate for Shanghai YMCA, and was offered a job including six months of training at YMCA in Cleveland. He worked at the main desk.
19
Panama
Jenlin Huang was the Ambassador to the Republic of Panama in 1964. He fostered good relations between Panama and Taiwan, and unified oversea Chinese in Panama to be more conscious of their mother country. He also tried to limit the communist influence in Panama, and helped building a Sun Yat-sen's status at the entrance of the Republic of China Avenue in Panama.
20
Dade City Florida
After the death of Chiang Kai-shek, Huang received no advisory title in the Foreign Ministry. Being disappointed towards the new government, Huang and his family moved to the United States and passed away in Florida.
