6/3/10

New Scholarship Honors Former Professor Otis Shao

Professor Otis Shao came to Moravian College more than 50 years ago and stayed for less than a decade. But in that relatively brief time, he left an indelible mark upon the students and fellow faculty members whose lives he touched.

"We pay tribute to Otis H. Shao, Ph.D., for his humanitarianism and exceptional enthusiasm and participation in Moravian College student activities. It is with sincere pride that we dedicate this publication to Dr. Otis Shao."—1960 BENIGNA yearbook. Above: Otis Shao and his wife, Marie Sheng Shao, often invited Moravian students to their home for friendly and engaging conversation.

The professor of political science "electrified the classroom with his insights and views on world politics," recalls Dan Gilbert, Moravian College professor emeritus of history, who taught with Shao in the late 1950s and early '60s. "He was a star, and the kids adored him."

Shortly after Shao passed away on April 16 at his home in Cupertino, California, Patti Price, director of planned giving, received a call from Eva Liang Levine, Shao's close friend and attorney. Shao had few surviving family members (his wife, Marie Sheng Shao, passed away earlier), so he left his entire estate to Mrs. Levine.

To honor Professor Otis Shao and his wife, Marie, Mrs. Levine has established the Otis Hung-I Shao and Marie Sheng Shao Endowed Scholarship. "Eva said that in his later years, Otis always spoke about Moravian College, his regret that he had left it, and his hope that he would be able to leave a legacy for Moravian," explains Price. In keeping with Professor Shao's wishes, Mrs. Levine made her own generous donation to the endowment to help fulfill Dr. Shao's intentions.

"Otis always spoke about Moravian, his regret that he had left it, and his hope that he would be able to leave a legacy."

Through her efforts to help establish the scholarship, Price, too, has become an Otis Shao admirer. Shao's faculty friends, such as Professors Gilbert and G. Alden Sears (emeritus, economics) and his wife, Sylvia Sears, shared anecdotes about Shao's early years at Moravian. On weeknights his first year at the College (1954), he regularly dined at the Sears' home (then located in the area now occupied by Reeves Library). Conversation was lively, says Mrs. Sears, who adds that Shao taught the Sears stir-fry cooking long before it became popular in American homes. When Shao married Marie, an artist, the Shaos returned the favor, "hosting many elegant dinner parties for faculty and friends." The Shaos also often entertained groups of students at their home, providing a friendly environment for discussions and debate.

A native of Shanghai, Otis Shao was the son of a Chinese Christian missionary, and he spoke English fluently and eloquently, says Dan Gilbert. Shao received his Bachelor of Arts degree at St. John's University in Shanghai, his Masters degree from the University of Colorado, and his Ph.D. from Brown University. At Moravian, he advised numerous student organizations and was a board member of the local foreign policy association. Dr. Shao later taught and worked as an administrator at Eckerd College in Florida, Occidental College, the University of the Pacific, and Hawaii Loa College. His teaching and administrative career spanned 40 years.

Because of the Shaos' broad interests in the sciences and arts, the new endowed scholarship will not be restricted to a specific department; it is intended to provide financial support to a deserving undergraduate student.

Anyone who wishes to make a contribution to the Otis Hung-I Shao and Marie Sheng Shao Endowed Scholarship should contact Patti Price, director of planned giving, at 610 625-7915, or e-mail pprice@moravian.edu.