ISU Holds Memorial to Pay Tribute to Life Lessons from Silent Mentors
On July 19, the College of Medicine held a Cremation and Memorial Ceremony to honor four silent mentors, including Chin-Jung Chen, Chen-Chieh Lin, Chiu-Hua Sung, and Tai-Yuan Chen, for their selfless dedication. By donating their bodies to medical education, these silent mentors enabled students to learn from real human anatomy, deepening their understanding of the value of life and the meaning of gratitude.
Human anatomy is one of the most crucial courses in a medical student’s journey. It provides an in-depth understanding of the human body’s intricate structure and offers invaluable hands-on experience through the guidance of “silent mentors.” Though speechless, these mentors teach by example, imparting knowledge and spirit. President Guu expressed his deep gratitude for the silent mentors’ selfless dedication and the generosity of their families. He likened this act of compassion to the Buddhist concept of “fearless giving,” encouraging medical students to carry a heart of gratitude, pursue their studies with utmost focus, and carry forward the love and spirit of their silent mentors throughout their medical careers.
Each silent mentor came from a different background and lived a life shaped by their beliefs and values. Chin-Jung Chen was a benevolent chef who had long aspired to become a silent mentor. Although he never had the chance to become a teacher in life, a role he sincerely wished to fulfill, he chose to help others by donating his body to medical education, hoping to support future generations of doctors through this final act of giving. Chen-Chieh Lin lived by the philosophy of “cherish your blessings and do your best.” He was known for his sense of responsibility and outstanding performance at home or in the workplace. His experience caring for his parents gave him a deeper understanding of life and led him to donate his body as a way to give back to society. Chiu-Hua Sung, known for her gentle and wise nature, shared with her husband a belief in selfless giving and egolessness. To her, life was a journey of spiritual cultivation. Having endured hardship, she saw becoming a silent mentor as a meaningful way to continue contributing to the world, leaving love behind through her final act. Tai-Yuan Chen was involved in a compassion club as a student, offering warmth and care to needy children. Inspired by his father’s commitment to body donation, he followed the same path at the end of his life. With the full support of his family, his final decision transformed love into the power of education, continuing the cycle of kindness. Each of these four silent mentors completed their final lesson uniquely. Though wordless, their legacies are etched into the hearts of every student they touched, leaving behind love and enriching society.
At today’s memorial ceremony, Hung Yen, a freshman student in the School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, shared: “Our silent mentors have selflessly dedicated their bodies to medical education, allowing us to grasp the deeper truth about humanity behind the study of medicine. They are donors of their physical selves and life travelers with stories and emotion.” Po-Yi Li, a junior student in the School of Medicine, also spoke with deep emotion: “We are profoundly grateful for the silent mentors’ selfless contribution. Now that they have fulfilled their final mission and embarked on the last journey of life, we offer our sincerest blessings with utmost reverence. As the movie Interstellar puts it: ‘Love is the one thing we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.’” Meghann Alana Pultie, a second-year student from Saint Lucia in the School of Medicine for International Students, added: “Our silent mentors have taught us to approach life with awe and humility. With a lasting sense of humanity, they have set us on our journey in medicine. They show us that medicine is a science of healing and an art of honoring life.” To honor the selfless dedication of silent mentors, ISU offers full tuition and fee waivers for their immediate family during their studies at ISU. This gesture serves as ISU’s highest expression of respect and gratitude. In the final chapter of their lives, these body donors extend a spirit of selflessness through medical education, enabling students to grasp the profound and often indescribable value and meaning of life beyond textbooks. Their great love continues to inspire and leave a lasting impact.
