In her four decades as a member of the UCLA Department of Sociology, Lucie Cheng profoundly affected the lives of her students, colleagues, and the university itself. Her writings and her advocacy helped construct Asian American Studies on a firm foundation of Asian Studies and the established social sciences. She inspired several generations of undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from around the world.
In her formal roles as Director of UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center and the Pacific Rim program, as well as informally via her unique and extensive contacts in China and throughout Asia, she built bridges and facilitated research and scholarly exchanges, helping UCLA become the pre-eminent center of Asian studies that it is today. In her writings and teaching she embodied the ideals of socially and politically engaged critical scholarship. Soft-spoken and gentle in her personal style, all who dealt with her came to appreciate her strength and the principled tenacity with which she pursued her goals.
Throughout her life Lucie was a very private person, devoted to her family and circle of close friends, and with a great love of the arts–from Chinese poetry to Italian opera. Lucie Cheng was unique and singular scholar and person whom we shall all miss greatly.
William Roy, Professor & Department Chair
David Lopez, Professor Emeritus & Former Department Chair
