RUTH MULAN CHU CHAO CENTERENHANCING LEARNINGAND COMMUNITY

THE CHAO FAMILY IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, AND WE ARE HUMBLED BY THEIR GENEROSITY.Nitin Nohria Dean, Harvard Business School

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WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THIS

BUILDING—THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS,

THE TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE,

THE BROADENING OF MINDS— will be a living tribute to those things Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and her husband held so dear and passed on to their daughters.

Drew Faust President of Harvard University

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DISCOVER THE CHAO CENTERTHE RUTH MULAN CHU CHAO CENTER serves as a vibrant hub of activity for the more than 10,000 executives who attend Harvard Business School Executive Education programs each year. Located at the eastern terminus of Harvard Way, the Chao Center completes the HBS Executive Education Quad—serving as a gateway between Executive Edu-cation and the HBS campus, connecting to Harvard University’s north side, across the Weeks Bridge.

Made possible through a generous gift by a Dr. James Si-Cheng Chao and family foundation, the building is a tribute to the life and legacy of the late Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, beloved matriarch of this most prominent and accomplished Chinese- American family with significant Harvard ties. This building is the first on campus named after a woman and an American of Chinese descent.THE CHAO FAMILY—the only family in the School’s history to have had four daughters attend—

poignantly made their gift during the 50th anniversary celebration of the admission of women in Harvard’s full-time MBA Program and the 375th anniversary of Harvard University.

The architectural firm of Goody Clancy designed the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center to allow for spacious function areas, gathering spaces, and academic class- rooms. It serves as a bridge between Executive Education participants and faculty, staff, and stu- dents in the MBA and Doctoral Programs, as well as a vibrant hub where members of the HBS com-munity can convene, interact, and engage.

To link the old with the new, the building incorporates red bricks and limestone materials that tie back to the legacy campus, as well as gray and white colors that reflect the more contemporary buildings. Inside, rich woods, honey-colored bronze accents, and warm furnishings provide a comfortable, cozy feel.

Expected to achieve LEED Gold Certification, the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center incorporates several energy-efficient features that align with Harvard Uni-versity’s sustainability standards, including a green roof, solar panels, air quality controls, and high-per-formance lighting, windows, and building materials.

Pictured: East entrance

Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Dr. James Si-Cheng Chao

I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR

THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, TRUST,

AND CONFIDENCE RUTH SHOWED

ME THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE and for always supporting and encouraging me in all our endeavors. Because Ruth devoted her life to promoting excellence in education and enhancing US-China cultural exchanges, she embodied the spirit of the love of learning in this university community.

Dr. James Si-Cheng Chao–

RUTH MULAN CHU CHAO, the second of five children in a prominent family in Anhui, China, was named in honor of the Chinese folklore heroine, Hua Mulan. Her parents promoted many progres-sive ideals, including encouraging their daughters to pursue higher education.

During the turmoil that engulfed China, Ruth’s family fled Anhui. To retrieve family valuables that were essential to their survival, Ruth, a child at the time, was sent on clandestine missions to recover the gold hidden in the walls and yards of their estate. The journey was dangerous, as it required her to pass through lawless territories and various military checkpoints set up by invading military forces. By memorizing the elaborate directions, she found the gold and sewed it into the lining of her jacket, which allowed her to pass undetected. Gold intact, she reunited with her family.

Ruth was among the few women of her generation to receive an education. She attended the Ming Deh Girls School in Nanjing.

Later, Ruth attended school in Jiading, outside of Shanghai. There, she met James Si-Cheng Chao.

But, the civil war prevented a courtship. At the height of the Civil War, each separately relocated to Taiwan. There, James searched for Ruth for more than a year. He eventually found her, and they wed and had three daughters.

After scoring #1 in a national examination, James emigrated to the United States to seek a better life for his family. Pregnant with their third child, Ruth encouraged him to go. Their separation lasted three years, but they finally reunited after Ruth’s month-long journey aboard a cargo ship, the sole adult female, with her three young daughters.

Though their initial years in America were filled with hardship, Ruth and James faced these difficul- ties with optimism and determination, and grew their family to include six accomplished daughters. At the age of 53, Ruth earned a Master’s degree in Asian Literature and History from St. John’s University. Along the way, she never forgot those less fortunate. To that end, Ruth and James created a number of charitable foundations that have provided more than 5,000 scholarships to students in need.

On August 2, 2007, Ruth succumbed after a valiant seven-year battle with lymphoma.

Pictured: Ruth Mulan Chu Chao & James Si-Cheng Chao portrait

MY FAMILY AND HARVARD

BUSINESS SCHOOL HAVE HAD

A REMARKABLE RELATIONSHIP

SPANNING FOUR DECADES. We are so pleased to be able to further the school’s work of educating leaders who make a difference in the world while at the same time honoring our mother— the woman who inspired us with her selflessness and courage.

Angela A. Chao Harvard College, Harvard Business School

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Pictured: View of South LoungeInset: View of Harvard Way from the Elaine Room

ENGAGING

The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Hub seating area, the café, and multiple lounge and gathering spaces provide opportunities for socializing and networking.

DINING

The servery includes several display cooking areas that feature global food themes—each prominently located to draw participants into the space and foster interactions.

WELCOMING

With a convenient drop-off zone, an on-site concierge, and a centralized check-in experience, each Executive Education participant is warmly welcomed to campus.

LEARNING

Flexible classroom space and shared workrooms feature state-of-the-art audiovisual technology to foster collaborative, immersive learning experiences.

PROVIDING SPACES FOR...

2

centralized arrival/departure area & concierge

multi-purpose function room

1

90,000 ft²

project rooms

14

1 coffee & wine cafe

5lounge spaces for

informal meeting & collaboration

rooftop terraces

2

1outdoorterrace

dining rooms to serve up to 520 participants at a time

2 flat-floored, reconfigurable classrooms that each seat up to 96 participants

Informal spaces throughout the building are designed to cultivate intellectual relationships and fuel the spontaneous interactions that are at the core of the HBS experience.

stories3

photo options are included in a separate PDF

RUTH MUL AN CHU CHAO HUB In honor of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao

The two-story forum, which leads to the dining areas, features wood paneling and terraced stairs that serve as a place for individuals to gather and interact. A plaque featuring Mrs. Chao’s calligraphy commemorates the space.

VEI CHING LOUNGE In honor of the Honorable Vei Ching Chu, father of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao

This second-floor lounge space offers sweeping campus views that highlight the traditional and modern architecture of the HBS campus.

HUI YING LOUNGE In honor of Hui Ying Tien Chu, mother of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao

This two-story lounge area on the second floor overlooks the campus and the river to create an inviting, airy gathering space.

Pictured: Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Hub

NAMED ROOMS

YI REN ROOM In honor of Yi Ren Chao, father-in-law of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao

A gathering space for the entire HBS community, this multipurpose room located on the first floor supports a variety of academic and social activities.

YU CHIN ROOM In honor of Yu Chin Hsu Chao, mother-in-law of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao

Located on the first floor, this flexible, divisible flat-floor classroom features movable, flexible furniture to allow for a variety of room set-ups and uses.

EL AINE ROOM In honor of the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and the first American woman of Asian heritage to be appointed to the President’s Cabinet in history.

Located on the third floor, this oval-shaped execu-tive boardroom boasts a wood ceiling, custom light-ing and furniture, as well as magnificent views—creating a warm, highly functional meeting space.

CHAO SISTERS TERRACE In honor of:

ELAINE L. CHAO Mount Holyoke College, Harvard Business School

JEANETTE C. CHAO Smith College, College of William and Mary

MAY M. CHAO Wellesley College, Harvard Business School

CHRISTINE J. CHAO Colgate University, Columbia Law School

GRACE L. CHAO Wellesley College, Harvard Business School, Columbia University

ANGELA A. CHAO Harvard College, Harvard Business School

With fantastic views from the third floor overlook-ing the Executive Education Quad and Cambridge Campus, this wooden roof deck is ideal for out-door events.

Pictured: Elaine Room

EAST LOUNGE SOUTH WALL: JOHN BISBEE “Brittlestars”

By combining his expertise in sculpture and black-smithing, artist John Bisbee created “Brittlestars,” a large, wall-mounted design that highlights his creative use of quotidian 12” railroad spikes. A hammer and welding technique was used to create the densely packed concentration of steel.

FEATURED ART

MAIN STAIRCASE L ANDING: YU-WEN WU “Mountain Design 1”

Boston-area artist, Yu-Wen Wu, created “Mountain Design 1” by casting mountain forms in fluid calligraphic lines to create a large-format piece that complements existing metal finishes.

WEST LOUNGE NORTH & SOUTH WALLS: JEANÉE REDMOND

“Nine Eagles”

To create “Nine Eagles,” a display of carved, cast bas-relief glazed ceramic birds in flight, artist Jeanée Redmond drew on her interests in scientific illustration and the ways in which ideas can be organized and displayed.

COMMEMORATIVE ART

RUTH MUL AN CHU CHAO & JAMES SI-CHENG CHAO PORTRAIT

The first floor houses a portrait of Dr. and Mrs. Chao that was painted by Chinese artist, Chen Yanning. The art tag for the piece, like others in the building, features Chinese characters from the calligraphy of Mrs. Chao.

THE RUTH MUL AN CHU CHAO HONORARY WALL

The honorary wall, located on the first floor, fea-tures a plaque commemorating Ruth Mulan Chu Chao’s life and legacy, a bronze bust of Mrs. Chao designed by Chinese artist Zhang Wei, and a dig-ital board that displays images and details about Mrs. Chao’s life.

DR. & MRS. CHAO COMMEMORATIVE BUST

A bust commemorating Dr. and Mrs. Chao, also designed by Zhang Wei, is displayed on a stone pedestal on the third floor.

Pictured: Dr. & Mrs. Chao Commemorative Bust

Pictured: Ruth Mulan Chu Chao commemorative bustPictured opposite: The Chinese characters Chao Chu Mulan were reproduced from her own calligraphy