Chinese Parents Show Campus, Community Gratitude

Monday, April 06, 2020
Jared Goulding presents masks to Union Hospital's Doug Smith.

Jared Goulding (right) of graduate and international admissions presented Union Health surgical masks that were donated by parents of Rose-Hulman’s Chinese students and alumni. (Photo courtesy Union Health)

Parents of current and past Chinese students have shown their gratitude to Rose-Hulman and the Terre Haute community by donating approximately 1,000 surgical masks to Union Health—a much-needed personal protection resource for health care professionals amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Other masks were provided to the institute for use by Rose-Hulman students, faculty and staff.

The masks were sent by the parent representatives to Jared Goulding, the longtime associate director for graduate and international admissions. He assisted hundreds of students and parents from China and other regions of Southeast Asia during their days on campus.

“These families have really appreciated what their students have experienced in our community, so they wanted to show their appreciation by giving these masks to health care workers and providers,” Goulding told local media during the donation delivery. “The fact that their students have had such a great experience, they wanted to show how much they feel a connection to this community and the Wabash Valley.”

Parent Zhaohui Shen states in a written statement, “The donation was a way to thank Rose-Hulman for the care and cultivation for our kids. We are very fortunate that our children are studying and living in such friendly places. We are touched by the goodwill of the residents of RHIT and Terre Haute, and want to protect our common home and family in the wake of this global disaster.”

Doug Smith, Union Health’s director of supply chain, reported the masks will be used by workers in the medical and surgical floors at Union Hospital, Terre Haute’s largest health care facility. The addition of the 1,000 masks will support staff members for four or five days.

“This donation shows how community comes together,” Smith told the media.