Retirement Tribute · Gonzaga SBA · Spring 2026
Educator · Adventurer · Tech Visionary · Health Advocate
Who They Are
From Taiwan to Spokane, his travels brought the world into Jepson.
Badminton Wednesdays. Pickleball weekends. An open invitation, always.
First in the building to embrace new technology. Last to stop talking about it.
Tea. Apples. A walk. His prescription for whatever ailed you.
Stories & Memories
When it comes to scheduling grad classes, Ta-Tao can never teach on Wednesday night. It's badminton night at the community center. Badminton runs in his veins.
Ta-Tao is a wonderful colleague and mentor to me. He often checks in to see how things are going and always has a great story to share. One that really sticks with me is how he bravely “protected” his wife from mice and successfully caught those naughty little troublemakers!:)
I will always appreciate Ta-Tao's smile and words of wisdom, especially when it came to food and travel.
There is no better advocate for travel than Ta-Tao! For the last several years, he always has the most amazing photos and gifts he brings back from his travels!
In 2009. Ta-Tao used his contacts and influence to help me get connected with Chang Gung University in Taiwan. I was able to spend three amazing weeks there during my first sabbatical teaching some classes and connecting with faculty and students. From this, I was able to collaborate with new friends on two papers. I recall Ta-Tao working tirelessly and enthusiastically to make this experience in Taiwan for me possible.
Ta-Tao loved badminton and pickleball, and I was always the spoiled youngster who had some other small plans for big nights.
His love for BBQ chicken wings.
Ta-Tao helps ease my transition to Spokane - the beef noodle soup from his wife is excellent!
My fondest memories are lunches in the lounge when Ta-Tao offered to pick up Chinese takeout. What a wonderful community builder! I loved sharing food and conversation with him and other Jepson characters like Hickman and Shrader.
I also loved running into Ta-Tao in a random airport when we were both returning from summer trips to Europe. The world is both big and small!
Also, Ta-Tao was the first colleague I told that I was pregnant with Marie. He had arranged for me to teach in Taiwan, and I had to tell him that I wouldn't be able to go after all. He was very sweet and supportive about it, of course.
Ta-tao, your dedication to learning new technologies has been truly inspiring. I will miss having such a wonderful colleague to share learning experiences with.
Badminton, Chinese lunch delivery from Hong Kong Express which he organized for a while and was so awesome, and learning Power BI.
You discouraged me from moving to Spokane! You were so honest, even though I was a job candidate. I still remeber that! haha
Ta Tao’s dedication to continuous learning and his passion for incorporating new technologies into his teaching have left a lasting impact on both students and colleagues.
You gave me a start as an adjunct and when I inquired about becoming a full-time professor, you were very direct with me about the need to get my Ph.D. It was the clearest feedback I received and you didn't flinch about the commitment. Without this direct feedback, I would have taken much longer to understand what I needed to do in order to achieve my goals.
Voices
The Colleague
Thank you Ta-Tao. You have been a great colleague. Grateful for your support over the years.
The Athlete
As long as you keep playing badminton, I'll know where to find you. Wednesday or Sundays at the community center playing badminton. I'll miss seeing your smile as you walk around the building. And introducing me to snacks, sweets or fruit from other countries that we can buy from Costco. ;)
I really enjoyed your workshops. You made information systems less intimidating.
The Teacher
Thanks for your presence in the SBA! Your perspective, your willingness to share, and your concern for our students has made a difference for me. We will miss you!
The Protector
Congratulations on your retirement! You’ve been such a dedicated and passionate educator to the students. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and have plenty of time to do all the fun things you love!
The Futurist
Congratulations on your retirement! I hope to keep hearing from you about AI.
The Foundation
Dear Ta-Tao,
You have been a very special part of the gift my work in the business school has been and the joy it has brought me. I am humbled with gratitude. From the early days-beginning with the day you walked into my office to find me there, instead of Terry- your tender and genuine heart won me over. I am honored to call you colleague and friend and I want you to know you are deeply valued and cherished, by me.
Ta-Tao, as you do, continue to seek peace; find it and know it and remember it. I believe that you give yourself that gift with your retirement.
Go play now!
With appreciation and affection,
Maureen
The Explorer
Ta-Tao, Wishing you all the best with the next chapter of your journey. You have always been helpful, kind and very witty. May you continue to be as awesome and encouraging as you are.
The Mentor
Ta-Tao, I've appreciated your advice as newer faculty. I remember when it first started getting cold during my first semester and you asked me how I was doing. I told you I was cold. You told me to take up skiing because it made the winters more fun. I appreciate your sound and fun advice. I'm going to miss you!
-Stephanie
The Spirit
Ta-Tao, thanks for being an awesome and supportive colleague!
The Storyteller
Who is going to look after my health now?! I guess I will just stock tea, apples, and good vibes in the office. When I feel wiped, I will go on a walk and imagine that you told me to do it!
The Healer
Thank you Ta-Tao for your help and friendship over the years. You are an amazing colleague and friend and I wish the best as you begin this new chapter!
The Bridge
Ta-Tao, I will miss your positive energy and zest for life! Best wishes for a happy retirement. :)
The Spark
Congratulations on your retirement, Ta-Tao! It's SKI TIME!
The Athlete
Thanks for being a wonderful colleague. I appreciate all of the wonderful your advice, working on bringing faculty up to speed on AI, and your passion to promote badminton and pickleball in the SBA.
The Host
Knowing you, I am sure that you will continue to do some professional works after retirement...:)
The Welcome
My dear friend, Ta-Tao,
I am SO happy that you have this chance to move on to your next great adventure! How wonderful for you! We will all miss your exuberant laugh, your thoughtful questions, and the extra effort you've put in to help the non-techies among us get more comfortable with technology. Future Zags will miss the chance to learn from such a knowledgeable professor. But all of us, and all your past students, are better off for having known and learned from you, and that's the best gift you could have given us!
Thank you and best wishes in all the days ahead!!! I wish you joy, peace, and only good surprises!
Peggy Sue
PS Please come back for lunch or coffee!
The Host
Ta-Tao - this place will not be the same without you. We will miss seeing you in the hallways and telling us about all the new and nifty tech!
-Sara
The Futurist
Wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life and have fun!
The Learner
Ta-Tao, you will be missed! Your positive attitude has made working at Gonzaga a great place to be! I appreciate your encouragement to play badminton, learn Power BI, and keep challenging our students and ourselves. Thank you!
The Encourager
Cheers to retirement! May this next chapter be full of joy, freedom, and just enough plans to keep things interesting.
Next Chapter
Ta-Tao, whenever you are around, I always feel like there is someone who genuinely cares and someone I can share things with.
The Honest
Thank you for all the support, mentorship, and guidance in the last two years. It is very appreciated and means so much more than you know. Your hard work and dedication have set a high standard for us all. Thank you for everything, and enjoy this new chapter of your life. May your retirement be everything you've dreamed of and more. We will miss you
The Presence
Ta-Tao, I can't believe you won't be my neighbor next year! I'm so glad I got to know you better over the last several years, and even though I'm going to miss seeing you daily, I'm excited for you to have the time to do the things you're looking forward to - without deadlines! Best wishes!
The Guide
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement! Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.
The Neighbor
It’s been such a joy working with you, Ta-Tao! You always had time for a quick chat and were always willing to be to share your knowledge with me. Your passion and dedication to your students stood out to me. You will be missed!
The Learner
Congratulations on your retirement, Ta-Tao! I hope you come by my office again soon to practice our Spanish! Felicidades 🥳 te vas a divertir mucho en tus viajes! ✈️ - Mariella
The Teacher
As I have gotten to know you well over the years, you have a great balance of wise principles that you are dedicated to with an open generous heart for the important aspects of life. I am really going to miss working with you and thank you for all you have done for me, the discipline, the SBA and university. Please do not be a stranger! John
From All of Us
Go play badminton on Wednesday. Go travel somewhere with a camera. Go tell someone to eat an apple and take a walk. The SBA will be different without you — and richer for every year you were here.
Gonzaga University · School of Business Administration · Spring 2026