(2) 
Wang recognized as 2009 Southeastern Alumnus of the Year
Contact: Rene Abadie
10/21/09
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(1) H. Roger Wang, second from right, was recognized as Southeastern’s 2009 Alumnus of the Year. With him at the awards function are, from left, Kathy Pittman, Alumni Association director, B.J. Lorio, Alumni Association president, Vivine Wang, and President John L. Crain.
(2) Southeastern Alumni Association recognized two individuals for their service to the university and the association. Dick Covington of Amite received the Distinguished Service Award and Kay Harrison Maurin received the L.E. Chandler Award for outstanding service to students. From left are B.J. Lorio, Alumni Association President, Covington, Maurin, President John L. Crain and Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman.
HAMMOND -- H. Roger Wang, one of China’s most respected businessmen and a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University’s MBA program, was honored as the university’s 2009 Alumnus of the Year during Homecoming activities over the weekend.
Chairman and CEO of Golden Eagle International Group, Wang received his award at the Alumni Association’s Evening on Friday. He also served as Grand Marshal in the Homecoming parade on Saturday and was recognized at half-time at the Lions’ game with Sam Houston State.
“I am humbled by this generous award,” Wang said in his acceptance speech. “A lot of things have changed at Southeastern, but some things have not: the hospitality, the sincerity, the spirit of togetherness – those have not changed.”
While on campus, Wang met with a large group of business students who posed questions about preparation for the world of business and Chinese-American relations. The question and answer session touched on many aspects of international business and multicultural communication.
“Mr. Wang is not only a highly successful businessman, his philanthropy and active support of numerous civic and charitable concerns highlight why he is truly an example of the best of Southeastern,” said President John. L. Crain. “We are honored that he is part of our Southeastern family.”
Wang, a U.S. citizen since 1978, came to the United States in 1970 with a degree in economics and entered Southeastern’s Master of Business Administration program. He graduated in 1973 and became a manager for Thrifty Drug Stores on the West Coast. Later he became involved in the insurance industry, retail operations, and residential and commercial real estate development.
He opened his first department store, Golden Eagle, in the city of Nanjing, where he emphasized the U.S. principles of customer satisfaction and service. The approach was highly successful and led to a chain of 16 department stores in three Chinese provinces. Wang currently spends half his time in California and the other half in China where he oversees the department store chain and the Golden Eagle Real Estate Group, which has developed over 1.26 million square meters of commercial and residential space.
Also recognized at the awards event were Kay Harrison Maurin, Southeastern’s director of disability services, who received the L.E. Chandler Award of Excellence, presented annually to a member of the faculty, staff or Alumni Association for service to students in their extracurricular activities; Dick Covington of Amite, who received the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing outstanding service to the Alumni Association; and Dr. Barbara Allen, dean of the Division of General Studies, who received the Director’s Diamond Award.
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