The location of East China University of Political Science and Law has such a rich history!

Now situated on Wanhangdu Road in Changning District, this campus of East China University of Political Science and Law boasts a beautiful environment, with the Suzhou Creek on one side and Zhongshan Park on the other. The architecture blends Western and Chinese styles, featuring Western structural elements like the Western-style corridors of Gezhi Building and the British countryside church spire of Taofen Building, alongside Chinese decorative details such as traditional flying eaves and multi-eaved pointed roofs. This site was once the former campus of St. John's University, founded in 1879 by the American Episcopal Bishop of Shanghai as St. John's College. In 1881, it became the first school in China to offer instruction entirely in English, and in 1906 it was renamed St. John's University, known as the "Harvard of the East." The school's motto, Light & Truth, is prominently displayed on the memorial archway. According to the plaque beside the archway, it was rebuilt by the alumni association after being damaged. Speaking of alumni, this school, which existed for only 70 years, produced many influential figures in modern history. For example, the outstanding diplomat Wellington Koo, world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, and famous writer and scholar Lin Yutang, among others. After the 1952 reorganization of colleges and departments, St. John's University became history. The College of Science and the Department of Education merged into East China Normal University; the Departments of Journalism, Foreign Languages, Chinese, and History merged into Fudan University; Civil Engineering and Architecture merged into Tongji University; Mechanical Engineering merged into Jiaotong University; and the Departments of Politics and Ritual Studies became part of East China University of Political Science and Law. The buildings of the former St. John's campus still stand there, witnessing history and welcoming a new generation of law students who uphold the values of Light and Truth.