Mississippi College Builds Bridges to China to Attract Table Tennis Players
Mississippi College’s table tennis pipeline to China is well-known.
What makes that academic journey go pretty smoothly is MC’s Intensive English Program. Stellar table tennis players like Tong Zhang of China are among its successful graduates.
A 26-year-old from China’s Shanxi Province, Zhang impressed his teachers as he graduated from the program on the Clinton campus in the Spring of 2016.
When they travel thousands of miles from home to the USA, the IEP Program is often a first stop for dozens of MC’s 500 international students. Some enroll here without strong English language skills. About 60 students are usually signed up for IEP classes with five different levels.
Balancing a busy schedule, Tong hit the books while helping Mississippi College to a 2nd place finish at the national collegiate table tennis championships in Round Rock, Texas. Zhang and Coach/Captain Cheng Li joined forces to finish No. 2 in North America in doubles at the three-day tournament in March 2016.
Taught year-round, MC’s rigorous IEP classes prepare international students for academic courses leading towards bachelor’s or graduate degrees. Instructors teach reading, writing listening, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation skills to help students from more than 24 nations master the English language.
“One of the most gratifying things about our table tennis team is how conscientious the students are who begin with the Intensive English Program,” says Ron Howard, vice president for academic affairs. “They’ve impressed me with their hard work to master the English language.”
Zhang, who seeks a master’s degree in kinesiology or exercise science at MC, did quite well in IEP courses from January 2015 through April 2016. Leaders of MC’s Office of Global Education administer the program and praise the talented student-athlete.
“Tong Zhang is a hardworking student who worked tirelessly to complete his homework and go the extra mile in his assignments,” says MC instructor Danielle Denny. “He was eager to learn and happily wrote and researched topics that interested him. He has a sharp and inquisitive mind. He’s a model student.”
Tong Zhang is among many international students at Mississippi College sharing their culture with Americans and each other. They gather for meals and international festivals, while building lasting friendships along the way. Others who thrived in the IEP Program include Coach Li, 23, MC freshman table tennis sensation Qing Wei Sun, 18, and senior Yichi Zhang, 22, North America’s table tennis singles champ.
Global Education Director Mei-Chi Piletz raves about the IEP success stories of MC students, whether they come from China, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Pakistan or other lands around the globe.
With paddle in hand, Tong Zhang brings dedication and enthusiasm to table tennis practices at Alumni Gym. But his passion for his favorite Olympic sport really gets stepped up when he plays college tournaments in Mississippi or hundreds of miles away.
In 2015, Zhang was named the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association’s Rookie of the Year.
After spending the summer of 2016 in China, Zhang returned to Mississippi College ready to hit the ground running. MC is beginning its 10th season of table tennis this fall and seeks to compete at the 2017 national championships in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Before coming to Mississippi College, Tong earned a bachelor’s degree in physical training at Shanxi University in China in July 2012. He brings 15 years of table tennis experience, including work as a coach in other countries.
In 2015, Zhang was a coaching assistant for the Denmark Table Tennis Center. In February 2012, he coached at a tournament in Dubai. The awards began coming his way in 2002 when Tong was men’s doubles champion at a tournament in China. The same year, he earned a bronze medal in team competition at the Hungarian International Youth Open.
Fast forward to 2016. Tong Zhang serves as a role model and mentor to younger teammates. “We are blessed to have Tong Zhang as part of the Mississippi College family,” says Andy Kanengiser, team sponsor. “We predict this energetic native of China will continue to do wonderful things well after his playing days are over.”
MC faces their first big test of the 2016-17 season at its Dixie Division tournament during the university’s Homecoming on October 15. Teams like Mississippi State, UAB, Tulane, Alabama and Southern Miss will invade Alumni Gym to battle the Blue & Gold.
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