University of Hong Kong graduate begins prestigious American fellowship

Qing Nian

Qing Nian, the daughter of Liu Feng and Nian Wanhong, has been named a McDonnell International Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. She holds a law degree from the University of Hong Kong, which is one of 15 leading Asian universities partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

Ms. Nian is pursuing a master of laws degree in the School of Law and expects her study to continue for about one year. Her career plans include returning to China to practice law in the field of international economic law.

"Nian Qing has been an exciting and delightful addition to our law school," said Stephen H. Legomsky, J.D., D.Phil., the Charles F. Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law, who serves as Ms. Nian's mentor. "She brings great credit to the University of Hong Kong, and it has been a real pleasure to get to know her."

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is both new and unique. Employing an unusual structure and approach, it brings together top scholars from many countries to pursue world-class education and research while forging a strong network with one another. Key to this are partnerships Washington University has established with top universities and corporations around the world with an eye to increasing opportunities for joint research and global education.

The McDonnell Academy Scholars are considered future world leaders in their fields. As such, they are provided not only rigorous graduate instruction, but a thorough cultural, political and social education designed to prepare them as leaders knowledgeable about the United States, other countries, and critical international issues.

Once selected for this highly competitive program, each scholar is matched with a distinguished member of the Washington University faculty who serves as a mentor for the scholar and also as an "ambassador" to the university partner from which the scholar has graduated. The ambassador assists the McDonnell Scholar in academic and professional life and travels annually with the scholar to the partner university to build relationships between the two institutions.

Stephen Legomsky

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Dr. Legomsky, Ms. Nian's faculty mentor-ambassador, is an internationally renowned immigration law expert. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and has advised former President Bill Clinton's transition team, former President George H. W. Bush's Commissioner of Immigration, the ministers of Russia and Ukraine, and other governments.

The McDonnell Academy Scholars receive funding for full tuition, living expenses and travel to and from St. Louis. Most of the scholars reside in two fully equipped and furnished apartment buildings near campus.

Funding is provided through a sustaining endowment gift from John F. McDonnell, vice chairman of the Washington University Board of Trustees and retired chairman of the board of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, additional endowment pledges, and 11 multinational corporate and foundation sponsors. Sponsoring corporations also offer internships and on-site educational opportunities for the Academy's Corporate Fellows.