Wanjun "Major" Gao's Rotary Club profile reads like several different biographies stitched into one. Since 2013, he's taught free English classes to elderly Chinese residents at the Robb Center and Andover Housing — the kind of quiet, unglamorous work that rarely makes headlines but changes daily life for the people who need it most.
Gao was born in 1942 in China's Henan Province and came to the U.S. as a visiting professor at Northern Illinois University after studying English and liberal arts. He and his wife eventually settled in Andover and became naturalized citizens. In his own words, the town has become their "third hometown," after Henan and Shaanxi provinces back in China.
Gao's grandfather was a noted Chinese calligrapher and scholar, and Gao followed the same path — he's a merited artist in Chinese calligraphy whose work has shown regularly around Andover, and he's written more than 300 classical poems.
Beyond his ESL classes, Gao founded and leads the Andover Chinese American Charm Circle, a group that performs traditional Chinese dance at community events across town. The group performed at the Andover Cultural Council's Grantee Reception in May 2024 and received a $500 grant toward a 2026 Chinese New Year celebration. Gao also serves on the town's Elder Services Task Force.
Gao was one of eleven 2024 Citizens Who Care honorees celebrated at the Rotary Club's 28th annual gala in May, alongside Sheila Graham, Brendan Hamm, Ann Knowles, Kate Margolese, Peggie Ritzer, Kristen Walsh, Jennifer Srivastava, Martha Tubinis, Denise Wynn and Steve Cooper. Suzanne Crowley was named Educator of the Year and Edward "Eddie" Mukalazi, Student of the Year. The program has honored Andover volunteers every year since 1996, and a segment on this year's honorees is available on Andover TV's "Positively Andover."
Residents interested in Gao's ESL classes can contact the Robb Center at 70 Balmoral St. in Andover.
