The Yale-China Association's long legacy of work in China places it among the premier American organizations engaged in international service. Founded in 1901, Yale-China built on a long tradition of Yale's graduates founding churches, schools, and colleges in far-flung places. In time, the organization evolved into a bicultural educational enterprise, reflecting a spirit of intellectual tolerance and openness that adapted itself to China's changing conditions and needs.

From its earliest years at the close of the Qing dynasty through wars, revolutions, and the modern era of reform,...