Laura Ling Hsu ('61)

“Life experiences are like nacreous pearls,” reflects Acadia alumna Laura Ling Hsu (’61). “Quality pearls are produced by first seeding with solid truths; nurturing by mantles of good people; then let life’s challenges bring out the best nacre that would ultimately give each pearl its unique luster and beauty.” Many good people have given Laura opportunities to learn and earn valuable life experiences that, together, have made for a multi-faceted, productive and very happy life.

Laura’s family traces back to Grandmother (Kung Sian), a descendant of Confucius. As a poor orphan in China’s last dynastic days, her grandmother was nurtured by missionaries from America. Laura’s parents were among the few broadly educated, transformative members of the next generation that also fought foreign invaders like Japan in WWII and survived the Cultural Revolution. Laura’s father, Shao-Wen Ling, PhD, Cornell, joined during Laura’s upbringing the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as an aquaculture specialist, supported by his wife, Mrs. Jeanette YC Chiang Ling. The family lived in several countries in Asia.   

When Laura, her brother William Yee-Nien (’62) and, later, sister Lillian Lee-Nien (’62) were ready for college, Acadia was their choice. All three graduated, went on to earn doctorates and became professors/researchers. Good friends from Canada, Mrs. Elaine Balsor Jean (’39) and her husband Dr. Yves Jean, connected the Ling family to Acadia.  In 1961, Laura became the first woman of Chinese descent to graduate from Acadia, receiving her BSc with Honours. “I remain humbled and elated to be a recipient of the Clara Belle Marshall Raymond Scholarship, established to honour the first woman to graduate from Acadia (1884).” She also served as Class Life Vice-President and campus Winter Carnival Queen.

The Acadia experience was formative for Laura, educating her in the Western traditions of science and professionalism, leadership and personal decorum. She expresses great indebtedness to Dean Marion Grant, Professors E. Chalmers Smith, P.M. Payne, Jaqueline Ellis and others who gave her the preparation and vision to pursue her future. Very dear are Whitman roommate Jackie More (’60), and Joan Doncaster (’61). Following graduation from Acadia, Joan went on to study at Cornell, where she spotted just the right guy for Laura – a nice, brainy, good-looking fellow named Tom Hsu. And Joanie was right. The family is blessed with two daughters, Lynne and Mia, and their families. Laura is joyfully engaged with extended families and active in community services.