Originally it was hoped to create a small school of 500 - 600 students where faculty and students lived together on campus. Tunghai was established with the intention of educating young adults to think for themselves and to be able to function within society.
意味兼法東、西的聖哲﹘﹘孔子與基督。在聯董會心目中，想建立一所富有創造性，學生人數不超過八百的小型大學，造就「具有獨特眼光、並能投入生活的人」。