Extract from letter of December 18, 1925 written by Dr. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun
Extract of a typed letter sent from Dr. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun about Mary Sun's future education. States Mr. Sun's desire to attend college drastically changes Mary's current education plans. Explains current course isn't accepted by American colleges. States a change in courses and a year of preparation is required if Mary is to attend college. Asks for definite confirmation from Sun before making any changes. Hopes to see Arthur in a few days to get more information.
"Mary furnishes the real problem Just now. Following what I understood, to be your personal wishes, Mary has been taking the general course at Abbot Academy, with the chief aim that of securing a degree, and on the supposition that this would round out her education in America. During recent months I have been hearing muffled comments from Arthur and Mary, and I think, too, from her other brothers, to the effect that you had now decided that Mary was to go to college. Mary had hoped to study nursing or something of this kind a little later, though she had always intimated that she expected to teach when she got back to China. The college proposition, if it actually represents your views, throws the present machinery all out of joint, for the course which Mary is now taking does not admit to our American colleges, and, if college is to be the next goal, there must be an immediate and complete readjustment and very probably another year of preparation. Before attempting anything so radical as this, I am very anxious to have your personal and definite authorization. Please write me fully and frankly just what you desire me to do under the circumstances, for I don’t feel justified in undertaking anything quite so radical without full authority from you. If I can discover from Arthur or Mary before receiving a reply to this letter sufficient evidence to assure me that this is really your last and definite purpose, I shall be tempted to make an immediate readjustment which can go into effect at the opening of the next term, some two weeks hence. This would involve a change of school and courses, a pretty radical step, but seemingly necessary under the circumstances. I hope to see Arthur within the next few days and shall ask him to place at my disposal all the information he has received from you that bears upon the problem in this new and somewhat unexpected phase. "
Telegram from C.Y. Sun to Stearns, January 22, 1926
Cablegram sent from C.Y. Sun to Dr. Stearns stating to prepare Mary for college.
38 X 9 CABLE TIENTSIN JAN 22 1926 STEARNS PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER MASS. PREPARE MARY FOR COLLEGE SUN 8O7AM
(Extract from letter of December 18, 1925,) (written by Dr. Stearns to Mr. C. Y. Sun) ’’Mary furnishes the real problem Just now. Following what I understood, to be your personal wishes, Mary has been taking the general course at Abbot Academy, with the chief aim that of securing a degree, and on the supposition that this would round out her education in America. During recent months I have been hearing muffled comments from Arthur and Mary, and I think, too, from her other brothers, to the effect that you had now decided that Mary was to go to college. Mary had hoped to study nursing or something of this kind a little later, though she had always intimated that she expected to teach when she got back to China. The college proposition, if it actually represents your views, throws the present machinery all out of joint, for the course which Mary is now taking does not admit to our American colleges, and, if college is to be the next goal, there must be an immediate and complete readjustment and very probably another year of preparation. Before attempting anything so radical as this, I am very anxious to have your personal and definite authorization. Please write me fully and frankly just what you desire me to do under the circumstances, for I don’t feel justified in undertaking anything quite so radical without full authority from you. If I can discover from Arthur or Mary before receiving a reply to this letter sufficient evidence to assure me that this is really your last and definite purpose, I shall be tempted to make an immediate readjustment which can go into effect at the opening of the next term, some two weeks hence. This would involve a change of school and courses, a pretty radical step, but seemingly necessary under the circumstances. I hope to see Arthur within the next few days and shall ask him to place at my disposal all the information he has received from you that bears upon the problem in this new and somewhat unexpected phase. ”
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun, December 18, 1926
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun. Provides updates on the Sun children and Quincy Sheh. Includes current accounts. States he is worried about Tom and Mary. Believes Tom will have difficulty gaining admission to Wharton Business School next September. Explains Mary's current courses were based on her obtaining a diploma and returning to China. States in order to prepare her college would require a change in schools and/or additional coursework. Asks for clarification on Sun's intentions for Mary's education.
December 15, 1925 C.Y.Sun 44 Cambridge Road Tientsin, China My dear Mr.Sun: I am herewith a statement of the accounts of your children and Quicey She up to the first of the current December. You will not that Arthur is keeping well within the limits; Quicey She likewise; and Charles to an excellent degree, even though the first expenses in college are apt to be a bit exacting. Mary’s account runs a good deal ahead of what it used to be when she lived at the house, but that is natural since regular boarding school charges in these days are high, even in those schools like Abbot Academy which do not claim to be among the most expensive. Thomas, I think, is doing better, but it is stills somewhat difficult for him to accept the pinch of real restraint in his expenditures. As to the work of the various members of the group, I am frank to say that all of them at present seem to be working with excellent spirit. Probably the best record to date has been made by Quincy She at Bowdoin College. My only fear is that he may overwork, and I have cautioned him strongly on this point. I have also asked the new physical director at Bowdoin, an old Andover boy and a warm personal friend of mine, to take special interest in Quincy’s case and give him much good counsel and help as he can. Charles is making an excellent start at Amherst, though he is disposed to feel a bit discouraged about some of his work. That, I think, is only natural for a freshman facing the new surroundings of college life, and especially when that freshman happens to be a foreigner. Charles has proved in every way to so faithful and dependable that I am not at all worried about his future. The two cases that trouble me most just now are those of Thomas and Mary. I am writing this morning to the University of Pennsylvania to see if some credit for admission cannot be allowed Tommy the basis of his Chinese studies in the past. Otherwise I am afraid he will find a bit difficult to gain admission to the Wharton Business School, as he hopes to do next September. A business course seems just now to be probably the best thing for Tom to aim at and that which is most likely fit in with his individual abilities and needs. Mary furnishes the real problem just now. Following what I understood to be your personal wishes, Mary has been taking the general course at Abbot Academy, with the chief aim that of securing a degree and on the supposition that this would round out her education in America. During recent months I have been hearing muffled comments from Arthur and Mary, and I think, too, from her other brothers, to the effect that you had now decided that Mary was to go to college. Mary had hoped to study nursing or something of this kind a little later, though she had always intimated that she expected to teach when she got back to China. The college proposition, if it actually represents your views, throws the present machinery all out of joint, for the course which Mary is now taking does not admit to our American colleges and if colleges is to be the next goal, there must be an immediate and complete readjustment and very probably another year of preparation. Before attempting anything o radical as thing, I am very anxious to have your personal and definite authorization. Please write me fully and frankly just what you desire me to do under the circumstances, for I don’t feel justified in undertaking anything quite so radical without full authority from you. If I can discover from Arthur or Mary before receiving a reply to this letter sufficient evidence to assure me that this is really your last and definite purpose, I shall be tempted to make an immediate readjustment which can go into effect at the opening of the next term, some two weeks hence. This would involve a change of school and courses, a pretty radical step but seemingly necessary under the circumstances. I hope to see Arthur within the next few days and shall ask him to please at my disposal all the information he has received from you that bears upon the problem in this new and somewhat unexpected phase. I hope to have all the boys out here for a day or two of the Christmas holidays, in any case, and only wish that my house arrangements were such at present that I could take care of them for the entire holiday season. This, unfortunately, is impossible, though Mary, who returned from school yesterday, will make her headquarters with me until the new term begins early next month. Hoping to hear from you soon and with my heartiest greetings for the new year on which you will soon be entering, believe me with warm personal regards Very sincerely yours
Letter from Charles Sun to Dr. Stearns, January 21, 1926
Handwritten letter sent from Charles Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Considered visiting Stearns while Stearns visited President Olds. Decided against because he didn't know President Olds very well. Met Everett Noble on the street. Discusses schoolwork and courses.
Postcard from George Wm. McClelland to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, January 18, 1926
Postcard sent from University of Pennsylvania acknowledging receipt of Thomas Kwang Jwe Sun's record.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA \/ Office of Admissions — January 18, 1926 Please accept our thanks for your courtesy in sending us the record of Thomas Kwang Jwe Sun . Very truly yours, George McClelland, Director of Admissions
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun, January 25, 1926
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun. Apologizes for not being able to visit his dorm. States it was nice to see Charles during the service. Recommends Charles introduce himself to President Olds.
January 25, 1926 Mr. Charles Sun 35 Woodslide Avenue Amherst, Massachusetts Dear Charlie: It was a great disappointment to me, too, as I wrote you, not be able to carry out my proposition of looking in on you at your room down on Woodside Avenue. Frankly, I was pretty well used up after that morning’s service, having gone through the two services at Aggie and at the college in quick succession and with a temporary metal plat on my jaw to make it possible for me to speak at all. I had slept little the night before, and at the urgent suggestion of Mr. and Mrs. Wolds went up to my room right after lunch and slept most of the afternoon to make up. That is the chief reason why I did not get around, for the rest of my time was pretty well filled. Anyway it was mighty nice to see you even for the brief moment after the service, and it is doubly nice to get your good report on your work this term. I hope and believe you will find the work increasingly easy and increasingly pleasant. One word of advice and suggestion. Do go up and call on President Olds and tell me who you are that I urged you to come. I know from him and I knew from my own experience that a visit of this kind means a lot and that it will make him especially very happy. You will find him one of the finest men that ever lived and one whom you will rejoice to know in years to come as a warm and worth-while friend. The best of luck and success to you! Ever yours.
Letter from Arthur Sun to Dr. Stearns, January 27, 1926
Handwritten letter sent from Arthur Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Discuss school and current exams. Requests money to pay for tutoring in hydraulics engineering. Asks when Stearns is available in the coming week for a visit.
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, January 29, 1926
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Arthur Sun. Enclosed request check for $90.00. Will be in Andover for the week to meet with Arthur. Plans to discuss Mary's future plans.
January 29, 1926 Mr.Arthur Sun 210 Technology Dormitory Cambridge, Massachusetts Dear Arthur: I have just received your letter and am enclosing check for ninety dollars, as requested. Kindly return receipt. So far as I can tell I shall be in Andover for the greater part at least of the coming week, and shall be very glad if you can run out some day for a conferene. I am especially anxious to talk over with you Mary’s future plans and work. Sincerely yours.
Letter from Arthur G. Robinson to Dr. Stearns, January 7, 1926 and advertisement with Robinson's American contact information
Handwritten letter sent from Arthur G. Robinson to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Hopes to visit Stearns and the Sun children in the spring. States he see Mr. Sun often. Offers to discuss any issues or questions with Mr. Sun directly. Advertisement provides two American addresses for contacting Robinson.