Members of the University community and invited guests gathered in November to dedicate the Dr. Bing K. Wong College of Arts and Sciences and offer thanks to the donor who made the naming of the College possible.
With 25 undergraduate majors and two graduate programs spread throughout multiple buildings on campus, guests gathered at Weckesser Hall for a glimpse of the signage that will commemorate Wong’s extraordinary generosity and the gift’s campus-wide impact.
Kevin Boyle, vice president of advancement, welcomed the crowd and mentioned numerous alumni who had reached out over the last few months to share stories from their time in Wong’s classroom. “The resounding theme is that you were an amazing influence in their lives,” said Boyle.
Paul Riggs, dean of the Dr. Bing K. Wong College of Arts and Sciences, opened his remarks by thanking Wong as well as the team who have been working on renovation plans for the fourth floor of the Stark Learning Center, noting “That’s the first capital project to be funded from Dr. Wong’s extraordinary gift.”
The fourth-floor home of the Department of Math, Physics and Computer Science is a fitting place to start. Wong was appointed professor and chair of the mathematics department in 1968 and brought computer science classes to the campus eight years later.
Plus, while math and computer science are vital parts of the general education curriculum at Wilkes, the space itself has long been overlooked. “Yes, dear colleagues, there is a fourth floor of Stark,” Riggs joked, adding, “I think it is entirely fair and accurate to say that it is overdue for a facelift.”
The refresh will make the area more inviting for students, with classroom innovations and collaboration areas. A new computer lab will be added to support recently added programs in cloud computing and data science. “We hope to create a place where students will want to visit, linger and learn,” said Riggs.
Riggs spoke of Wong’s history at Wilkes, before sharing gratitude for what his gift will mean to the University’s students and their futures. “Dr. Wong, support from a friend and a colleague is extra meaningful,” said Riggs. “Thank you for this special vote of confidence, for believing and investing in our mission and our students and in the transformative learning that happens here every day under the leadership of our faculty.”
One current faculty member, Fred Sullivan, associate professor of mathematics, talked about Wong’s vital contribution to computer science. With the support of an equipment grant from IBM, Wong outfitted a computer lab with 25 PCs and a UNIX server. For decades, the server has been an essential part of Sullivan’s mentoring program which provides students with high-level experience as system managers.
Sullivan introduced one of those system managers, junior computer science major Nate Martes, whose experience has allowed him to land internships with Carnegie Mellon University and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Martes acknowledged the future improvements to the space and equipment that will lead to greater student opportunities.
“Dr. Wong, your extraordinary gift to Wilkes University will continue to shape the lives of students and graduates for generations, and we are deeply grateful for your vision and generosity,” said Martes. “Because of your investment, we can proudly say that we are students of the Dr. Bing K. Wong College of Arts and Sciences, empowered, inspired and fully prepared to step confidently into our chosen professions.”
Mary Rhodes M’77, a former student of Wong’s, spoke of his dedication as her mentor, when he petitioned for her to be able to take an overload of six courses in both the fall and spring semesters. “I didn’t have time for anything but math that year,” said Rhodes.
President Greg Cant took to the podium to thank Wong, emphasizing his enduring legacy on alumni and colleagues, as well as those Colonels who will continue to benefit from the gift to the College of Arts and Sciences. “What makes me feel most confident about the future is students,” said Cant.
To wrap up his remarks, Cant introduced Wong, who shared what he called a simple story of his purchase of an Apple computer, followed by 200 shares of Apple stock, that grew in value and made his gift to the University possible. “Having spent my entire professional life at Wilkes, I wanted to leave a legacy for the institution I love,” said Wong.
That love will now live on in the spaces across campus that bear Wong’s name, as well as the transformative educational experiences that his gift has made possible.