GSS Recipients and Milestones

Shandong University

On November 22, 2013, USCET President Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch met with Professor Lou Hongxiang, Vice President of Shandong University, at the official signing ceremony for the launch of the China Opportunity Scholarship program at Shandong University. Ambassador Bloch and USCET Program Assistant Jennifer Kuang met with the inaugural class of five scholarship recipients, all freshmen at Shandong University pursuing studies in the social sciences, and discussed their goals and dreams for the future. USCET is proud to be able to launch this third scholarship program with the support of Maurice “Hank” Greenberg and C.V. Starr.

Shandong University GSS Recipients:

Class of 2019
Class of 2018
Class of 2017
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
Class of 2014
Class of 2013


Yunnan University

Florence Davis, President of the Starr Foundation, and Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, President of the US-China Education Trust, along with the president and other officials of Yunnan University presented the GSS Scholarship certificates to the inaugural class of 10 students on June 19, 2008.

After the award ceremony, Florence Davis and Julia Chang Bloch had a moving conversation with the 10 students, who expressed their deepest appreciation to the Starr Foundation and USCET. The scholarships have made possible their studies at Yunnan University. Several talked about being the first in their village to go to college. A few confided that the scholarships have allowed them to escape the hard work at home. Others shared their hopes of a brighter future. Each and every one of them also renewed their commitment to pay back society after their graduation.

During the dinner with Yunnan university officials, the students indicated their desire to make this scholarship program a model for poverty alleviation.

One of the members of the inaugural class of GSS Scholars, Guo Zhichao, said on her application, “My father’s bended back and my mother’s white hair almost drive me to tears. Then I started to wonder what I can do to help my family….the only thing I can do is study harder, to pursue my dream of being a good teacher.” Zhou Xudong, another GSS Scholar, wants to be a lawyer so he can help those who are weak, and a third, Dai Shanshan, hopes to work on social welfare and education issues. All wish to make a difference, and the Greenberg/Starr Scholarship program aims to make their dreams, and those of future recipients, come true.

Yunnan University GSS Recipients:

Class of 2018
Class of 2017
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
Class of 2014
Class of 2013
Class of 2012
Class of 2011
Class of 2010
Class of 2009
Class of 2008
Class of 2007