Beijing, 22nd June 2026 (BISTU)--- There are memories stayed with us all the time, which becomes increasingly clear as time goes on. That old class register and the stack of handwritten cards, for Ms. Holly Materman, are treasures of the good old days at BISTU.

Holly Materman, a Stanford University faculty who once taught at BISTU, has returned to campus on 17th June 2026. She was accompanied by her husband, Len Materman. It was a trip to the campus in her memory.

In 1990, shortly after graduation, Holly Materman came to China alone. She became one of the few foreign teachers at the Beijing Institute of Mechanical Industry Management (the predecessor of BISTU). Though she taught there for only six months, she had formed a deep bond with the university. She has carefully preserved the class register, samples of student assignments, and the handwritten letters her students gave her before she left.

For 36 years, Holly has regarded that period as the warmest and most precious start of her career. In early 2026, she asked friends to contact the University. The External Liaison Office and the Office of Alumni Services helped arrange the visit. Her former student, Wang Dong, a 1988 mechanical engineering alumnus who is now the President of Beijing eGOVA Co., Ltd., also offered support. Finally, Holly returned to the campus and reunited with the students she had missed for decades.

Holly, Zhang Yichao (left) and Tan Jun (right)

At 2 p.m. of the day, Holly and Len arrived at Xiaoying Campus. Alumni had gathered there early to greet them. Among them were Tan Jun who came from Shijiazhuang, and Zhang Yichao who traveled to Beijing from Shanghai. The campus had changed beyond recognition over 36 years. The once simple and modest courtyard was now a modern campus with tall buildings, beautiful scenery, and state-of-the-art facilities. Holly was deeply moved by the changes. She commented that the campus now was “a completely different world” from what she remembered.

Holly stopped now and then on the familiar campus and recalled moments from her teaching days. She expressed genuine surprise at the changes happened to the university in the past years. She visited the classrooms where she once taught and the halls of residence where she had lived. At the classroom door, she paused and then pushed it open. Sunlight fell onto the podium. It seemed that nothing has ever changed. She smiled, touched the edges of desks and told her husband about those lovely students who used to answer questions in English. She touched the existing chalk dust in the tray. Those were the marks of youth. She was reluctant to leave the podium. With tears in her eyes, she smiled and said, "I've dreamed of this moment for over thirty years. Today, it has finally come true." She then went to the halls of residence. Although the buildings had been renovated and rebuilt, she could still recognize where her old room was. She could still recall those summer evenings when she chatted with colleagues on the balcony and winter mornings when she brewed coffee to keep warm.

Holly and Len then drove to Shahe campus to visit the Museum of University History and the Library. Holly exclaimed, "Beautiful!" She stepped out, looked around at the sprawling campus, and was filled with delight.

At the Museum, she reviewed the university's journey through vintage photographs and artifacts. She was struck by the remarkable strides the university had made in recent years—in academic programs, student development, and campus infrastructure. The intelligent library was a surprise: a nice space with millions of e-books and a complete digital system, which is a distinctive contrast to the old reading room she remembered.

Holly and Len visited the campus souvenir gallery. Holly examined a cloisonné bookmark, picked up a miniature architectural model and turned it over to see details. They smiled and were delighted at every piece on display.

The gift box from the University felt heavy in her hands. She seemed to find the memories of the past. Holly also chose two caps with "BISTU" printed on them. She planned to give them to her children as presents. "Next time I come to China," she said, "I'll make sure to bring them to BISTU."

Holly and Len

From a young teacher to an educator at Stanford University, Holly commented that BISTU had left its mark on her. Before leaving, she opened the old class register one last time. She touched the names on the pages. In that moment, she understood that the best education was one that goes beyond borders and generations and passed on warmth from one to another.