Dr. James Mau: Baylor's First Professor of Asian-descent
Dr. James Mau. Photo courtesy of the Texas Collection
During the 1950s Baylor formed a relationship with Hong Kong Baptist University, leading to an increased amount of Asian student access to the campus. The creation of a professor exchange program was established soon after to solidify the partnership between the two institutions. This was a strategic move since it allowed both universities to exchange scholarships as well as culture.
Hong Kong Baptist, most notably sent Dr. James Mau, a distinguished professor in Chinese Philosophy and Chinese Literature (Baylor University News, 1960, September 21), becoming the first faculty member of Asian-descent to teach on the campus. Mau (1960) was a proponent of the partnership, and believed that “culture exchange” was a “profound” way to further understanding between different countries (p. 1). The Baylor community adored Mau. His classes were filled, and he was known around campus by faculty and students as a deeply “warm and profound” human being (Baylor University News, 1960, September 21).
This critical partnership directly impacted Asian student access, particularly access for students from Hong Kong. In 1958, shortly after the partnership was formed, Baylor admitted three new students from Hong Kong (Report of the Registrar, 1959). Within a year, the number of students from Hong Kong tripled. By 1960, students from Hong Kong would be one of the biggest minority groups on campus, making up nearly 10% of the foreign student population (Report of the Registrar, 1960).
Visit Beyond Black and White: Asian Student Access at Baylor for more information about the Baylor and Hong Kong University partnership.