Awards

IU Foundation President's Medallion - 2017

About David I.J. Wang

Born in Beijing, David I.J. wang came to the United States with his family after World War II. He received his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at George Washington University (GWU) at age 15 and his graduate degree in that field from Georgia Institute of Technology at age 16.

Wang worked as a director for companies including Union carbide, Yankee Cos., Wierton Steep Corp, Amerigas Inc., Joy Technologies, and BE&K Inc. Wang retired as executive vice-president and director at International Paper Company, but who later became senior partner in Atlas Holdings private equity investment firm.

He was a strong supporter of chamber music and endowed the annual Wang Chamber Music Series at Artis-Naples as well as a chair in the string section. Wang also helped Opera Naples find a permanent home and develop a newly purchased center. David and Cecile have also supposed first-generation students at Florida gulf Coast University. Wang was a trustee of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, the National 4-H Council, the Eisenhower Fellowships, Southern Poverty Law Center, Bowdoin International Music Festival and Artis-Naples. He also served on the advisory board of the coalition of Immokalee Workers, an organization of several thousand immigrant farm workers in Florida that advocates for living wages and fair treatment.

Outside of IU, he is the recipient of many awards for his profession and philanthropic commitment to many organizations. He received the GWU Engineer Alumni Achievement Award in 1992, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame at Georgia Tech in 1999, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from GWU Alumni Association in 2000, and the School of Engineering & Applied Science Hall of Fame from GWU in 2006.

At Indiana University, he was a former trustee for the O'Neill School for Public and Environmental Affairs. Alongside his wife, Cecile, they donated funds for the creation of the study and meeting space in its graduate center which opened in 2017.

Wang died at the age of 87 on February 28, 2020.