The Hornell Hall 70th Anniversary Reunion Dinner was successfully held on September 23, 2023 (Saturday) at the Loke Yew Hall of HKU. We were honored to have Professor Peng Gong, Vice President of HKU, join us for the evening. He delivered an enlightening welcome speech that greatly encouraged both alumni and current hallmates. Approximately 200 participants gathered at the iconic Loke Yew Hall to celebrate this significant milestone with our hall community. The evening provided opportunities to connect with hallmates, alumni, guests, catch up with old friends, reminisce about memories from your time in Hornell Hall, and learn about the hall's current state of affairs. It was indeed a highly engaging, memorable, and fruitful evening for all!

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Speech by Professor S.C. Wong, Warden of Hornell Hall

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Professor Gong, Mr. Fung, Fellow Hornellians, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening!

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It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone to today's Hornell Hall 70th Anniversary Reunion Dinner. This year holds particular significance for me, as it also marks the 40th anniversary of my time as a Hornellian!

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Five years ago, we celebrated the 65th anniversary of Hornell Hall, a memory that feels like just yesterday. Over the past five years, we have confronted numerous challenges, with the most unforeseeable being the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic over the last three years. This was particularly true for non-residential halls like ours, which don't offer student accommodations and consequently rely heavily on hall activities to foster connections. These activities were significantly disrupted during those challenging times. However, the unwavering commitment and resilience of our student associations have been instrumental in preserving the spirit of Hornell Hall, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.

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It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of two esteemed members of our Hornell Hall family. Ir Dr Joseph Chow, a distinguished Hornellian and Founding President of the Hornell Hall Alumni Association, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2018. His selfless contributions played a crucial role in revitalizing Hornell Hall during challenging times. Additionally, we mourn the loss of Dr Stephen Chan, our longest-serving Warden, who passed away on October 10, 2021. Dr Chan’s dedication to fostering educational and cultural activities, particularly in establishing Hornell Hall as a prominent force in the local drama and theatre scene, will always be remembered. We pay tribute to both of them here and honour their invaluable legacy within our community.

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Hornell Hall boasts a rich history, unique culture, and strong brotherhood among its diverse members. Our inclusive environment encourages free expression, facilitates participation in various activities, and provides a relaxing space for students to unwind from academic pressures. Our diversity, with members from different faculties, backgrounds, and communities, fosters valuable interactions and social networks, which are essential for personal and professional growth. Embracing and respecting these differences, Hornell Hall unites us as a family, bound by a deep sense of brotherhood. 

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We are proud to have a robust alumni network, led by a dedicated and passionate group from the Hornell Hall Alumni Association. They have generously supported our students in numerous ways, including financial assistance and career-focused learning opportunities. Thanks to their generous and unfailing support, we have established the MIC strategy: “M” for mentorship, “I” for internship, and “C” for career development. This strategy aims to guide and advise students on their career planning. For instance, in the mentorship program, we assign each hallmate a mentor who is either a successful Hornell Hall alumnus or has strong ties to the Hall. This program has proven to be popular and boasts a high enrolment rate. Additionally, we actively seek internship opportunities through our alumni network and organize career forums and workshops to help students better understand the job market and their career prospects, and enhance their job-hunting skills, such as writing effective application letters, preparing a strong CV, and excelling in interviews. We hope that our MIC strategy will enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market and guide them in setting goals for their personal and professional lives.

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Over the past 70 years, Hornell Hall has nurtured numerous leaders in various sectors of the community and across diverse walks of life, instilling in them a never-give-up attitude. Compared with other halls, Hornell is relatively small and, as a result, not as prominent within the student community at HKU. This small size also places us at a disadvantage in some hall competitions. However, it is this very position that motivates us to courageously and persistently face and overcome the challenges ahead. We cherish our successes and learn from our failures. In the coming years, we will undoubtedly encounter numerous challenges and opportunities. I would like to call upon your steadfast support for the continued development of Hornell Hall, in accordance with our motto: 

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“It’s not with stone that we build our hall, but with the united strength of all.”

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In closing, I wish you all a most fruitful, engaging, and memorable time this evening. Thank you!

 

Speech by Mr. Payne Fung, President of Hornell Hall Alumni Association
 

Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Gong, Professor Wong, distinguished guests, and dear Hornellians,

 

Good evening to all of you, I hope you have been enjoying the delectable dishes and captivating performances by our talented senior hall mates.

 

On behalf of the alumni association and organizing committee, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your presence here tonight. Your unwavering support has made a significant impact, and we feel truly fortunate and blessed to celebrate our 70th anniversary at a time when the world has overcome the challenges of the global pandemic, allowing us to gather here physically not only to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Hornell Hall but also to embrace the bondage that unites us all.

 

Tonight, we celebrate not just the past, but also the future. Let us envision a vibrant and inclusive community that continues to nurture intellectual curiosity, foster lifelong friendships, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

 

I encourage each and every one of you to actively participate in shaping this future. Whether participating in the mentorship program to share your expertise and network, or joining us to organize alumni events, your participations are invaluable. Let us seize this opportunity to reconnect, to bridge the past and present, and to forge a path towards a stronger Hornell Hall.

 

In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for being here tonight. Your presence reflects the enduring spirit of Hornell Hall and the profound impact it has had on our lives.

 

Thank you, and let us continue to enjoy the rest of this splendid evening.