UCLA alumnus donates $2 million, establishes endowed faculty chairs
Myung Ki Hong, who graduated in 1959, donated $2 million to create two endowed chairs in the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. (Courtesy of Myung Ki Hong)
By Emi Nakahara
Sept. 29, 2017 4:29 p.m.
A UCLA alumnus donated $2 million to establish two endowed faculty chairs in the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The gift from Dr. Myung Ki Hong, who graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, will fund the Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Polymer Science and the Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Materials Innovation.
An endowed chair is the highest academic position that can be awarded to a faculty member. The two faculty chairs will support scientific research with applications in regenerative medicine and in environmental sustainability.
Hong previously gave the commencement address to the chemistry and biochemistry graduating class in 2015, during which he also received the department’s alumni award. Hong is the chairman of Dura Coat Products Inc., a chemical paint company.
The UCLA Division of Physical Sciences matched Hong’s donation for a total contribution of $4 million.
The $2 million gift is part of the UCLA Centennial Campaign that aims to raise $4.2 billion in donations to fund student and faculty support, research and capital projects by December 2019.
