The reception and celebration for Professor Albert Welter’s retirement, hosted jointly by the Department of East Asian Studies and the Center for Buddhist Studies, was a warm and memorable evening honoring his distinguished career, scholarly legacy, and many years of dedication to the University of Arizona.
Held on April 24 at 5:00 pm on the 4th Floor Student Union Terrace, the event brought together faculty, students, colleagues, and friends to celebrate Professor Welter’s lasting contributions to our academic community. As former Head of the Department of East Asian Studies and a core faculty member of the Center for Buddhist Studies, Professor Welter has provided invaluable leadership, mentorship, and service.
Faculty and students from the Department of East Asian Studies offered remarks expressing deep gratitude for his contributions and extending their heartfelt wishes for his retirement. Many distinguished scholars from outside the university also shared their congratulations and best wishes through video messages, which were collected and beautifully produced by Professor Welter’s student, Yuyu Zhang, and screened during the reception.
The celebration also took place alongside the international symposium “A Buddhist Heaven on Earth: Hangzhou Buddhism and Its Historical Significance,” which honored Professor Welter’s pioneering scholarship on Chinese Buddhism and the religious and cultural worlds of Hangzhou.
Congratulations, Professor Welter, and best wishes for this new chapter!