​​​Bing Sum Wong

Community Leader & Philanthropist

California State University, San Bernardino

Bing S. Wong has distinguished himself as a longtime supporter of education and the pursuit of scholarship, on many levels, in the San Bernardino area. An immigrant to the United States from China, Mr. Wong became a successful restauranteur. Not having had the opportunity to obtain extensive formal education, he has passionately promoted the education of others throughout his life.

In 1963, Mr. Wong established the Bing S. Wong Scholarship Foundation, creating several annual high school scholarships and an incentive program. With expansion to the K-12 level, the foundation has awarded more than $500,000 to nearly 500 outstanding students from the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Now, 80 kindergarteners and 16 middle school students are chosen each year in the district as Bing Wong Scholars.

Many successful individuals have used the Bing Wong Scholarship as a valuable springboard. For example, Jack Brown, chairman of the board of Stater Bros. Markets, who is this year's other recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, was one of the very first recipients of the Bing Wong Scholarship.

Mr. Wong has received many accolades over the decades for his tireless community leadership and philanthropy. The San Bernardino City Library named a wing after him; the local Parent-Teacher Association made him a lifetime member; and he was the recipient of the San Bernardino City Unified School District's Medal of Honor.

In recognition of his many accomplishments and contributions to this community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, San Bernardino, are proud to confer upon Bing Wong the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.