Wean Khing Wong knows from personal experience that there are many ways to give back to the institutions and ideals that are important to you. Small-scale outings that she organized for her fellow MIT alumni in Southern California inspired her to found the MIT Chinese Alumni Group in 2019, which now has close to 6,000 members worldwide. As president, Wong produces free public educational programming for the group, which does not take dues and is open to MIT alumni and students of all ethnic backgrounds. Wong has also given back by establishing a bequest to MIT, allowing both her and the Institute to plan for the future.

Opening the world. 

MIT’s policy of guaranteeing financial support for every accepted student played a significant role in Wong’s wanting to give back to the Institute through a bequest. “I want other students to have the fortune and privilege of attending MIT and to have their world open up like mine did,” she says. “I could attend MIT because I received financial aid. It changed my life and gave me the best education.”

“I want other students to have the fortune and privilege of attending MIT and to have their world open up like mine did.”

Spreading knowledge, supporting each other. 

Wong sees the MIT Chinese Alumni Group as another way to open up the world. As many people were isolated at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Wong held frequent worldwide virtual meetings that provided a space for members to socialize, reflect, and share news. Now, Wong continues to host webinars and meetings featuring a range of speakers, many of whom are MIT alumni. “I am grateful to the Chinese and non-Chinese alumni and students who help this group succeed, and to all of the speakers,” she says. “Their talks have formed a bridge for mutual understanding and assistance for creating a better world for all.” 

Topics are wide-ranging but timely. For example, the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic was addressed in two talks, one featuring two doctors who are MIT alumni. In another popular session, Major General William Chen (retired, United States Army) spoke about three generations of his family’s history in the United States. “I repeatedly hear from participants that they’d never known how much Chinese and Asian Americans have contributed to US history, and that more public education is needed,” says Wong. “Even people from different ethnic backgrounds tell me that there are universal themes and lessons that they could apply to their own lives, and they share with me their experiences and family histories.”

Lasting impact. 

Wong studied biology at MIT, and her scientific training and essay-writing classes led to her current career as an attorney, mediator, speaker, and life coach as well as to winning numerous writing awards. “At MIT, I learned how to think, analyze, write, speak, and be creative and fair. My professors have had a lasting impact on me not only by imparting these skills, but also by their dedication to their work and the world,” Wong says. She notes that her scientific background is also valuable in cases regarding patent law. 

Wong sees MIT’s educational mission, including the knowledge shared freely and with the public in the MIT Chinese Alumni Group presentations, as having a “ripple effect” in the world. She believes that MIT alumni are well positioned to effect positive change through their actions. “A person doesn’t have to give a lot of money to make a difference,” she says. 

Photo: Gavin Holt