Feb. 4, 2020
On Jan. 24, faculty, staff, students and alumni rang in the Year of the Golden Rat during DePaul’s 12th annual Chinese Lunar New Year Gala. Initially created as an extracurricular activity for students learning Chinese language and culture, over the years the gala has grown to attract more than 450 guests each winter. Attendees enjoyed Chinese cuisine and cultural performances by students and alumni during the event.
The first animal in the Chinese zodiac, those born in the Year of the Rat are thought to be quick-witted, resourceful and kind. Connected to the element water, blue also is considered a lucky color during the Year of the Rat.
A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president, greets guests during DePaul's 12th annual Chinese Lunar New Year Gala. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Amanda Stocchetti, president of the DePaul Chinese Studies Association, left, and Yi (Joy) Fang, president of the DePaul Chinese Students and Scholars Association, welcome guests to the event. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Li Jin, director of the Chinese Studies Program and Global Asian Studies Program, thanks the university community for their support during the celebration. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Chinese studies students perform the song "Sweet as Honey" during the event. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Student Angela Wang performs “Dance of the Yi People" using a traditional guzheng string instrument. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Xiangguang Liu, a graduate student in the Driehaus College of Business, sings “Untainted” during the celebration. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Members of the Hao Dance Chinese dance studio perform their routine, “A Thousand-Year Promise,” while dressed in traditional Chinese costumes. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
A traditional Chinese lion dance entertained attendees. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Members of the Hao Dance Chinese dance studio perform during the annual gala. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)