Western and Asian Cultures are Bridged at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Nestled amid notable structures that include the D’Angelo Center, St. Albert Hall, and St. Augustine Hall on the Queens, NY, campus of St. John’s University, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall stands out as an iconic structure – a symbol of freedom, independence, and democracy, intended to foster a better understanding of Asian culture.

The impetus for constructing the hall, which was opened to students in 1973 and was initially built to house the Center of Asian Studies, was to establish a dedicated space for the study of Asian cultures, in particular, Chinese culture. Research, publications, and special programs are among the primary results of the center’s work.

The hall is named after Sun Yat-sen, a prominent figure in modern Chinese history who was the Founder and President of the Republic of China. He was admired for his revolutionary spirit and vision for a unified and democratic China, a cause he championed from 1911 until he died in 1925.

Paul K.T. Sih, Ph.D., founder of the center, explained to The New York Times in 1973 that officials chose to honor Sun Yat-sen by naming the hall after him, “because he was the great leader of the modern world. He influenced all the people throughout Asia and beyond.”

Dr. Sih was a history professor at St. John’s and became director of the center in 1959. He was the author of histories of China and a translator of Chinese classics.

Designed by architects John S. Lynn of Taiwan, Japan, and Herman C. Knelbel of Westbury, NY, the hall features traditional Asian architecture that distinctively sets it apart from other buildings on campus. Highlights of the octagonal-shaped building include a raised roof constructed with glazed yellow tiles imported from Taiwan, an expansive hall that features green marble, and a white marble terrace.

In a demonstration of support for the project’s vision, private citizens and institutions in Taiwan contributed to the building of the hall, which cost one million dollars and is located on 12,000 square feet of campus property. Although the building was designed to be built between Alumni Hall (now Carnesecca Arena) and the tennis courts, it was situated at the rear of St. Augustine Hall.  

In addition to the Center of Asian Studies, the hall is home to several other facilities, such as the Chin Ying Asian Library. The library was established in 2006 through a generous gift from Professor and Mrs. Chin Ling Wang. The room features carved panels once part of the Pavilion of the Republic of China at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair.

The library contains reference and circulating books in several languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The collection includes Chinese philosophy, theology, history, and literature, as well as Asian art, business, economics, and political science.

The Vincentian Center for Church and Society (VCCS) is also located at the hall. The VCCS originated in 1994 at St. John’s and continues to animate University-wide consciousness of the Vincentian charism to encourage and support academic ventures, especially those related to social justice, and to serve and collaborate with the greater Church and community. 

Attendees can also explore the Dr. M. T. Geoffrey Yeh Art Gallery, the public exhibition space of St. John’s. The Yeh Art Gallery partners with contemporary artists to create dynamic learning opportunities. It is also the site of student curated exhibits each year.

Other occupants include the Faculty Lounge and the Inclusivity Resource Center. Under the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the latter provides a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for students and guests.