If you've ever spent time in Fujen University's Wenyou Building or studied at the School of Communications, then you definitely know her: "Wenyou Auntie," "Wenyou Grandma," "Mary."
These were the names the School of Communications students called her. For years, no one knew her real name, so everyone referred to her by these nicknames. Even back when Facebook was just starting out, someone anonymously created an account for her called "Wen Mary" — Wen from Wenyou Building, as if this were her birthplace, though of course she wasn't the one managing it.
Actually, Auntie's real name is Guan Meihua. I only learned this when I found out about her retirement.
Why am I sharing about her today? Because Auntie silently cared for Fujen University's Wenyou Building for 27 years, and retired on February 27, 2018.
Wenyou Building has four floors in a rectangular structure belonging to the School of Communications, housing the Departments of Journalism, Advertising, and Film & Television, plus the evening division's Mass Communication program — four departments in total, along with graduate students, serving over 1,200 students using this space.
Photography studios, performance halls, editing rooms, broadcasting studios, and more than 20 classrooms… Auntie cleaned all these spaces alone. Combined with daytime and evening students, Meihua Auntie's working hours were longer than anyone else's.
For 27 years, every single day, Auntie rode her motorcycle at 5:30 a.m. to reach Wenyou Building. Upon arrival, she immediately opened and cleaned every classroom to prepare for students. After a rushed lunch around noon, she returned to Wenyou Building around 1 p.m. to sort through the garbage everyone left behind, continuing until 10:30 p.m. when the evening division students finished class.
Every day, Auntie was the first to arrive and the last to leave. When sorting garbage, she was meticulous, picking up and sorting each item carefully — a process that took 2.5 hours each time.
These years left mottled marks of care for Wenyou Building across her palms and hands… yet she spent every day in good spirits, constantly reminding us to sort garbage properly, not to stick bamboo skewers in the trash bins because they would prick her.
Auntie also made full use of the time between day division classes and evening division start times to clean every restroom. When students forgot to turn off classroom lights, she would kindly remind them, "Turn off the lights with your hands — protect the polar bears." She would also warmly chat with students.
It's been six years since my university graduation. My most vivid memory of Auntie is her precisely locking the doors at 10 p.m. every night. Because our staircase is divided into left and right sides, the left side locks first — that's the staircase I used most often. Once that time passed and Auntie locked up, we'd have to walk all the way around to the opposite staircase to go downstairs. This meant my classmates and I were constantly racing against time every evening. (Yes, I was in the evening division.)
Time flew by. On her retirement day, the School of Communications' teaching assistants organized a farewell gathering to thank Guan Meihua Auntie. Watching videos filmed by past students, Auntie silently shed tears.
↓ The touching video moved me to tears as well
↓ Certificate as Wenyou Building's Best Guardian
Actually, Guan Meihua came from Indonesia. Over these years, her dedication has been witnessed by every student, teacher, and staff member at Fujen University's Wenyou Building. Everyone gave her a gold ring to express their gratitude. The sunflower pattern engraved on it symbolizes that Auntie is like the sun — illuminating students, keeping classrooms and the environment spotlessly clean, providing us with a comfortable space.
For 27 years, day after day, we truly thank Guan Meihua Auntie for her care. Her professional spirit is deeply admirable, and this is also a tribute to my university youth — vibrant, unforgettable, and never to return.
Photos: Kindly provided by alumni
