Dr. George Shen Memorial Speaker Series

Dr. George Shen
1929 – 2019

Dr. George Shen’s memory lives on at St. John’s College where he was instrumental in establishing the College at the University of British Columbia. We strive to embody the traditions of academic excellence and public service inherited from our founders, the alumni of St. John’s University Shanghai.

We are grateful for the gifts collected by the daughter of Dr. Shen, Janet Shen, towards the St. John’s College Alumni Legacy Fund that have made the establishment of this speaker series possible.

Dr. George Clement Shen was born in Shanghai, China and spent his childhood in Shanghai and Hong Kong. In 1949, he was one of the last graduates of the now closed St. John’s University.

MORE about Dr. Shen’s extraordinary life.

Dr. George Shen Memorial Speaker Series - Around the Table with Rumana Monzur – April 27, 2024

St. John’s College is pleased to present our inaugural Dr. George Shen Memorial Speaker Series 2024 with special guest, SJC alumna, Rumana Monzur. Bestselling author Denise Chong is launching her new book, Out of Darkness, and will be in conversation with Rumana for two events at UBC in April 2024. The event on April 23rd will be a partnered UBC event at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre and the second event on April 27th is St. John’s College’s Dr. George Shen Memorial Speaker Series with Rumana.

Coming home…

This will be a dinner discussion with SJC alumna Rumana Monzur who will always have a place at our table. The SJC community has been inspired by her strength and determination. Rumana has returned to the College on several occasions (see “A Conversation with Rumana Monzur”, below) including the College’s 20th and 25th anniversaries, and we look forward to welcoming her back as our honoured speaker and having her story inspire a new set of Johannaneans.

Seating is limited, so please register early (by April 12)!

Date & Time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Dining Hall, St. John’s College

Out of Darkness: A Conversation with Denise Chong and Rumana Monzur – April 23, 2024

This is a book launch and panel conversation on the book, Out of Darkness: Rumana Monzur’s Story Through Tyranny, Betrayal and Abuse, which shares Rumana Monzur’s journey through betrayal, tyranny and abuse. Rumana Monzur (MA ‘13, JD ‘17) is a St. John’s College and UBC alumna, who credits her survival and success to the overwhelming support of the UBC and St. John’s College community. The event will explore themes of intimate partner violence, women’s rights, and the human-centric support Rumana received from UBC, which ultimately helped her overcome this traumatic experience.

This book launch is sponsored by the Allard School of Law, Faculty of Arts, and St. John’s College.

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, Jack Poole Hall (2nd floor)

Book Launch Details

Rumana, please know that you will always have a home at SJC, and that you can always call it home, and that feeling your presence and strong spirit is a gift.
Dr. Henry Yu, Principal, St. John’s College, Associate Professor, History

Rumana Monzur, SJC Alumna, visited the College on Friday, October 18th, 2013 to talk about what keeps her going after sudden blindness became a major challenge in a “Conversation with Rumana Monzur.”