Mingde College was founded in July 2020. The term “Mingde” derives from the classic text The Great Learning, which begins by stating “what the Great Learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.” “To illustrate illustrious virtue” represents an affirmation, adherence to, and promotion of the Chinese cultural roots. It is also a critical approach and initiative for universities in the new era to fulfill the fundamental mission of cultivating both morality and ability. “Mingde” guides our students to develop an ideal personality, to perfect themselves, and to become inheritors of Chinese civilization, with both integrity and ability.

The College assumes full charge of first-year undergraduate education in three strengthening basic disciplines programs — Archaic Chinese and Literature (study of ancient philology), History, and Philosophy — as well as in experimental programs of Humanities. The College is dedicated to enhancing both basic education and quality education in the broad categories of humanities, to promoting interdisciplinary integration, and to supplying multiple bodies of knowledge. It has organized a series of academic courses, including “Chinese and Western Civilizations in Dialogue”, “Mingde Introduction to Humanities”, “Mingde Reading Group”, “Reading History and Classics”, the interdisciplinary fieldwork project “Mingde Horizon”, “Mingde Overseas Summer Project”, and the Mingde Undergraduate Symposium.