Dr. Lin (second right) with his family. His wife, Mrs. Helen Lin (second left), served as a PE lecturer at Chung Chi. Their younger son, David Lin (first right) and daughter Rose Lin (first left) both studied at the College, majoring in Physics and Sociology respectively.

Dr. Lin Dao Yang (1888–1993) was a native of Buji Village in Bao’an (now Shenzhen). In his youth, he graduated from St. John’s University in Shanghai. He later pursued further studies in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts) and a master’s degree in forestry from Yale University. In 1914, Dr. Lin returned to China and contributed to drafting China’s first Forestry Act. He assisted Dr. Sun Yat-sen in writing the forestry section of The International Development of China. Dr. Lin served as professor and dean of the College of Agriculture at Nanking University and National Central University, nurturing talent in agriculture and forestry.

Dr. Lin held numerous positions, including Director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry of Tsingtao, Director of the Central Model Forestry Station Administration, Director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry of the Department of Reconstruction of Kwangtung, and Vice Chairman of the Forest Reclamation and Planning Committee under the Yellow River Conservancy Commission. He also served multiple terms as Chairman of the Chinese Forestry Association, playing a key role in advancing forestry in China.

After World War II, Dr. Lin became the Director of the Canton Regional Office of the Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. He retired in 1948 and settled in Fanling, Hong Kong. In 1955, he became the President of Chung Chi College. He successfully negotiated with the Hong Kong Government and secured the Ma Liu Shui site for the permanent campus, oversaw the construction of the new campus and the relocation to it, and applied to the government for mountain reforestation, securing 300 acres of land to expand Chung Chi’s campus significantly. He also facilitated the relocation of Ma Liu Shui villagers to Fanling and purchased their land for college development. Furthermore, he participated in the formation of the Chinese Colleges Joint Council with Chung Chi College, New Asia College, and United College, striving for degree-awarding status and government financial support. His wife, Ms. Helen Lin, also served as a special instructor, teaching Physical Education at the College.

Dr. Lin was deeply committed to serving the community. He was appointed as a member of the Board of Education and the Rural Development Committee by the Government. He also served as an elder of Tsung Kyam Church and Vice President of the Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong. In 1960, Dr. Lin became the President of United College, preparing for the establishment of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Massachusetts awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Daoyang Memorial Gardens have been built on the Chung Chi and CUHK-Shenzhen campuses. The Lin family sponsored the establishment of Ling College. His former residence in Buji was converted into a memorial museum, and the Ling Dao Yang Memorial Forest was planted in Shiyaling Park.