UMass Boston

Haiwen Tan’s recognition as the 2024 Ryan Award recipient comes as no surprise to those who have seen her dedication at UMass Boston. The art major has become a familiar face to many, often spending long days on campus to perfect her projects.

The Ryan Award is awarded to the student who has achieved the highest cumulative GPA over their first four semesters.

"I put my all into art," she said, "because I don’t want to be left behind. I want my projects to reach my standards. All my professors and a few staff know who I am, because I am here all the time, walking around and working on my art.”

Tan’s work ethic is a reflection of the resilience she has developed over the years. She moved to the U.S. from China with her family in 2019, just before the world was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating a new culture and remote learning, she faced the challenge of balancing her studies, helping to support her family, and adjusting to life in a new country, all while learning to communicate in a new language.

“Everything was new to me,” she said. “There was a pandemic and online classes, and I didn’t have an opportunity to communicate with people, like English speakers. I had learned English in China, but we didn’t use it to communicate, so it was really hard for me to improve my pronunciation, and my accent. I tried my best to practice through YouTube videos and talking with people once we got back to school.”

“She is an outstanding artist. Her paintings, which blend surrealism, pop culture, and abstraction, are joyous and funny,” said Professor of Art Zach Horn. “In all my courses with Haiwen, she has shown a seriousness of purpose and a playful, experimental approach to her work. This honor is well deserved."

Tan expressed her gratitude for the impact the UMass Boston art community has had on her journey.

“In China, my art style wasn’t encouraged, but here, my professors gave me a lot of encouragement and warm support to let me do my thing, to let my imagination go wild,” she said. “My professors have always given me suggestions on my art pieces and helped me to improve my drawing and painting skills.”

Tan says she is considering pursuing a master’s degree after graduation but is also open to exploring art-related careers, such as becoming an illustrator.

She says UMass Boston has provided her not only with a place to improve in her art and studies, but with a true sense of belonging.

“I used to have really low self-esteem when I came to the United States. I didn’t feel confident about my English. I had depression, a feeling of anxiety,” she said. “I met a supportive community at UMass Boston. My friends and my advisors helped me deal with all the challenges in my studies and learning. I’ve received a lot of warm support. And it changed me. … I love UMass Boston.”

About the Ryan Award

The Ryan Award is named for John W. Ryan, who was the first chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston. He served from 1965 to 1968. It commemorates the first convocation of UMass Boston and recognizes excellence in the student body. The Ryan Award is given to the student who has achieved the highest cumulative average for four semesters in residence during the freshman and sophomore years. The first Ryan Award was granted in 1971.