The Barton School of Business has received a $300,000 gift from Dr. Silver Kung — a globally recognized investment leader, member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Wichita State alumnus and founder of Siegfried Capital Group — and his wife, Doriya Li. Their contribution establishes the Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund, a forward‑looking initiative designed to expand real‑world learning, professional development, and entrepreneurial opportunities for Barton School students.
As part of Wichita State’s strategic plan, every degree‑seeking student is guaranteed an applied learning or research experience before graduation — a commitment that has positioned WSU as a national model for career preparation and industry collaboration. To accelerate this work, the new fund will support a set of projects, including immersive experiential learning opportunities. These experiences will expose students to leading innovation ecosystems such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where they can engage directly with venture capital firms, startups and industry leaders.
“Dr. Kung represents the kind of curiosity, global awareness, and innovative mindset we work to cultivate in our students, and we’re grateful for the example he sets.” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “This gift from Dr. Kung and Ms. Li will open doors for our students — helping them gain internships, launch new ventures, and apply what they learn in the classroom to real opportunities in a fast-changing global economy.”