"This volume is a memorial tribute to the late ProfessorF. Earl Swisher. Born in Lyons, Kansas, July 22, 1902, hewas a member of the pioneer generation of American scholarsto study China. His early life offered no indication thathe would become involved in Chinese studies. At an earlyage he moved with his family to Palisades, Colorado, wherehis father owned a farm. There he completed his public education.He was an avid reader as a student, and by the timeof his graduation had exhaustea the libraries of his teachersand school. He entered the University of Colorado in1920, majoring in history. Although he received an academicscholarship, he had to work his way through the University.In May 1924, he was graduated with. honors. Still hewas uncertain about his career. While walking across campusto work one day shortly before graduation, he was caught ina typical Colorado cloudburst. He found shelter in a nearbybuilding being used by Canton Christian College to recruitfaculty for the forthcoming year. Waiting for the rain tostop, Swisher expressed a mild interest in a position at theCollege and left his name and address. He was somewhatsurprised several weeks later to be offered a contract. Bythe end of August, he had arrived in Canton to assume hisduties."