Divergent Paths: The Educational Philosophy and University Legacy of John Leighton Stuart and Francis Lister Hawks Pott
Abstract
This paper conducts a comparative analysis of the educational philosophies and governance strategies of John Leighton Stuart and Francis Lister Hawks Pott to elucidate the divergent historical trajectories of Yenching University and St. John's University in twentieth-century China. It argues that Stuart's commitment to "Sino-Western integration" and proactive "localization" fostered a sense of Chinese ownership at Yenching, thereby enhancing its social adaptability and institutional resilience. In contrast, Pott's adherence to a "Western-oriented," elitist model, while successful in cultivating talents, entrenched St. John's in cultural alienation and identity crises amidst profound societal transformation, due to its insistence on Western cultural primacy and administrative control. Ultimately, their contrasting visions not only shaped the distinct developmental paths and cultural legacies of the two universities but also underscored the decisive impact of strategic choices made by educational leaders on institutional sustainability during non-Western modernization.
Keywords
John Leighton Stuart, Francis Lister Hawks Pott, Yenching University, St. John's University, Educational Philosophy, Localization
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