Tianyu Wang Endowed Scholarship

The scholarship has been named the Tianyu Wang Endowed Scholarship, established by Tianyu Wang’s eldest daughter, Xiaoan Wang, BA, ‘97, journalism-public relations, and MA, ’98, communication; his son-in-law, Jun Tan, MA, ’91, communication, and PhD, ’00, pharmacy administration; and his grandchildren, Anna Tan and Andrew Tan. The purpose of the scholarship endowment is to celebrate and honor Tianyu Wang’s contributions to the field of photojournalism and empower future generations of students pursuing careers in communication, photography, journalism, film or media, or related fields.

Tianyu Wang was an award-winning photographer, author, and journalist {born 1939, Baoji, China – died 2024, Xi’an, China). Over the course of his decades-long career, which spanned news and documentary films, photojournalism, and news reporting, he held posts including Senior Journalist at the Shaanxi Daily, the Vice President of the Shaanxi Art Photography Society, and the Vice Chairman of the Shaanxi Branch of the China Photographers Association.

He was a prolific photographer, taking tens of thousands of photos. He edited and published his work in more than 50 editions of pictorial magazines. In addition, many of his works were exhibited domestically in China and showcased abroad. He also penned articles on the theory and practice of news photography, which were published by outlets such as the Shaanxi People’s Fine Arts Publishing House and lauded by his peers as “a selfless contribution to China’s news photography industry”.

Tianyu Wang also authored books showcasing photos and text to represent the rich culture, natural scenery, and beauty of the Shaanxi Province in China. His publications received praise from critics as rich and detailed records that capture the interweaving of the ancient and modern traditions of the region in a colorful, encyclopedic epic.

Tianyu Wang was a self-taught photographer, refining his technique and creative approach through experimentation and hands-on practice. He was passionate about photography as a way to “remember our brilliant history in order to motivate us to make progress in the future”. He was a strong supporter of higher education and mentored other aspiring photojournalists who went on to be very successful.