It was not to be an ivory tower but a school where students were very much aware of the culture they were living in. Tunghai was not only to teach professional skills but also to give students a broad perspective. One of the first steps then, was the building of the campus.
這個創校理想在德術兼備的首任校長曾約農的籌畫下，建立了勞作制度、通才教育、小班制、師生全體住校… … 等優良傳統，使早期東海成為一個學風自由、人情溫馨的大家庭。