A donor wall honoring Ambassador Sié Chéou-Kang was unveiled May 19 in a special ceremony at the SIÉ CHÉOU-KANG Center for International Security and Diplomacy at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
The wall highlights the accomplishments of Ambassador Sié — a diplomat, educator, author and playwright who contributed to China’s modernization. He spent much of his adult life in Europe, holding the position of Chinese cultural ambassador to several European countries, including Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. He served as the Chinese diplomatic envoy to the Vatican and developed personal close ties with Popes Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI.
“All who pass by this recognition wall will be reminded about the importance of creating a more secure world. We are grateful for Anna and John Sie’s vision to make the SIÉ Center a global hub for diplomacy and leadership and thank them for their commitment to our students and our school,” said Christopher Hill, dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
John Sie, son of Ambassador Sié, his wife Anna, and daughter Michelle Sie-Whitten were joined by DU Chancellor Robert Coombe and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to celebrate the completion of the wall. The event also was attended by international and community leaders, trustees of DU and the first class of Sié Fellows.
Sie says the wall is being dedicated in the centennial year anniversary of the fall of the Qing dynasty and the start of modern China.
“My father, a consummate educator and diplomat, would have been pleased to know that through the SIÉ Center and the SIÉ Fellowship program we are providing important training that our fellows will bring back to their homelands or countries of interest,” Sie said.
The wall was created by University architect Mark Rodgers and is dedicated to the ongoing support and commitment of John and Anna Sie.
At the dedication, it also was announced that Deborah Avant has been named the inaugural holder of the SIÉ CHÉOU-KANG for International Security and Diplomacy Endowed Chair. The chair was made possible by a gift from Anna and John Sie.
Avant will play a pivotal role in strengthening DU’s reputation and leadership in international security. She most recently was a professor in the department of political science at the University of California-Irvine.