After seven years, UNL’s Confucius Institute is experiencing its first change in leadership.

David Lou, who has directed the institute since its founding in 2007, announced on Aug. 29 his intent to retire on Sept. 1. Charles Wood, Lewis Lehr/3M University Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the Nebraska Center for Virology’s current director, will lead the Confucius Institute starting in early 2015.

UNL’s Confucius Institute is an independent organization established jointly by UNL and Xi’an Jiaotong University, UNL’s Chinese partner university, under the sponsorship of Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International. The institute’s main charge is to promote the teaching of Chinese language and culture to the university community and all Nebraskans.

“Our effort has led to fruitful results in broadening views and career paths of our students in making them better world citizens,” Lou said. “I want to express my gratitude and to thank all my colleagues, present and past, for their hard work and strong support in making UNLCI such a success story.”

Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Lou had a vision of opening the university and the state of Nebraska to China, its culture, language and people – and he has worked tirelessly to make that happen.

“In so many ways, David has worked creatively to not only make the Confucius Institute as one of the best in the world but has helped foster a number of important relationships between the University and China,” Perlman said.

In seven years, the UNL Confucius Institute has established language education programs at three Nebraska universities and five public school districts in six cities across the state. The program offers more than 600 classes to nearly 9,000 people.

Perlman said Lou has left the organization in good hands for his successor and has left a legacy of engagements with China that benefit the university.

“With Charles Wood now stepping into this important role, I’m confident that the institute’s momentum will continue,” he said.

As a researcher, Wood studies the transmission and evolution of viruses, particularly HIV, and the risk factors that are involved. His research involves collaboration with University Teaching Hospital in Zambia.

Rachel Zeng, the institute’s executive associate director, will serve as interim director and will guide the institute during the transition. In her current role, Zeng is responsible for the daily managerial and operational functions of the institute.