By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

Li Jie, a Tsinghua student volunteer, stood on the stage of the National Stadium (Birds Nest) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony on August 24, one of twelve representative volunteers accepting flowers. A senior student in Engineering Physics, Li had been a volunteer at the National Swimming Center (Water Cube) during the Games. He was proud of the special honor he received: “I am so lucky to have such a chance to stand here on behalf of many other volunteers.” Li loves sports and enjoys participating in various volunteer activities in his spare time.

(Li Jie)

Nearly 3,000 Tsinghua students served just like Li as volunteers at the Beijing Olympics and some will work as volunteers for the upcoming Para-Olympics. “I am so honored to be an Olympic volunteer,” said Zhao Wen Ying, a Thermal Engineering student. “I am touched and encouraged by the Olympic spirit.”

The Tsinghua volunteers are involved in community activities through the Zijing (Redbud) Volunteer Service founded in 1996. Currently, the Volunteer Service includes an undergraduate student volunteer team, a graduate student volunteer team, the Tsinghua University Student Red Cross, and ten other student public service associations with more than ten thousand registered members. The Tsinghua volunteers participate in various university activities including the anniversary service, alumni liaison, and as campus tour guides.