Our Major Sponsors

Thanks to our corporate sponsors, major sponsors, club members, families, and individuals, the SBCSC Scholarship Program has been successful throughout the years in providing monetary support to students of Chinese descent residing in the Tri-city areas.

 

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Fremont Bank has been a long-time supporter and one of the biggest corporate sponsors of the South Bay Chinese Club Scholarship Program since 1997.

 

McGrath RentCorp is one of our major supporter who has been sponsoring the SBCSC Scholarship Program since 2021.

 

Citizens for Better Community (CBC) is a sister organization of the South Bay Chinese Club and a long time supporter and sponsor of the SBCSC Scholarship Program.

 

Dutra Enterprises, Inc. has been a long time supporter of the SBCSC Scholarship Program.

 
Republic.jpg

Republic Services is a new corporate sponsor of the SBCSC Scholarship Program beginning in 2018.

 
 

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Ruby Chiang.jpg

The Ruby W. Chiang Memorial Scholarship award was established in 2018 by her family to honor her, an active SBCC member, and to remember her life long achievements and contributions to the community.

Ruby W. Chiang  (1924-2017)  was born in Tientsin, China.   In 1948 she came to the University of Wisconsin and earned an MS in Organic Chemistry.  Shortly after, she married Robert Chiang, also a research chemist.  Ruby also earned an MS in Environmental Science & Engineering from the University of North Carolina.   They relocated to St. Louis where Robert died at a young age. Ruby took care of the family of 4 children and her mother, herself being diagnosed with breast cancer.  She did research at Washington University, and also taught Chemistry in the Junior College District, where her classes were always in high demand. She was instrumental in the formation of the national Organization of Chinese Americans  collaborating with members from Detroit and Washington, DC; and serving as President of the St Louis branch.  Ruby came to Fremont in 1978 to join her daughters.  She continued as an active member not only of OCA, but SBCC and CBC.  Known for her intelligent wit and humor, for her progressive and modern thinking, she was generous to people who needed help.

 
Leonard Chong1.jpg

The Leonard S. Chong Memorial Scholarship award was established by Judy Chong and family in 2017 to honor Dr. Leonard, a long-time SBCC members who passed away in 2016.

Leonard S. Chong, DDS (1946-2016) was a third generation Californian, born and raised in Oakland.  He attended UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco for his undergraduate, dental and orthodontic degrees.  He was a Regents Scholar at both Berkeley and UCSF and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the prestigious dental honor society.  He settled in Fremont in 1972 to start his orthodontic practice, providing services to generations of South Bay families for 45 years. Dr. Chong served on the SBCSC Scholarship Committee by reading essays and serving as its co-chairman during the 1990s.  Education was important to Dr. Chong’s family. It is for this reason the family has supported SBCSC over the years

 
Bing J Gee photo.jpg

The Bing J. Gee Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 2016 by Dennis and Elaine Szeto in honor of Elaine's father by remembering his contributions to the community.

Bing J. Gee (1914-2004) was a Toisan native, immigrant to the S.F. Bay Area when he was 16.  Working in private homes, he learned English at the Berkeley Adult School, graduated high school, and completed his B.S. in civil engineering in 1942 at the Polytechnic College of Engineering in Oakland. He was husband to Kam M. Lee and father of six, surveyor and draftsman in defense as well as many subdivisions and housing developments, and dedicated volunteer with his professional skills in the Oakland Chinese community.  Mr. Gee early on believed in the value of education, which he passed on to his children. Because he was the first among his generation of cousins to graduate from a U.S. college, he was a role model and mentor to them.

 
York2.jpg

The York F. Gin Memorial Award was established by Victor and Fran Gin, Dora Gin, and Lily Robillard since 2012 in honor of Victor's father's life time body of services to the community.

York F. Gin (1921-2004) was born in China and immigrated to the United States in 1934. Salinas was home to York for 70 years.  York was a member of the Chinese Senior Club, a charter member of CACA and Salinas Northeast Rotary Club.  He had a 20-year tenure as a trustee for Alisal Union School District, a 40-year tenure as Commissioner for the Housing Authority of Monterey County and Director of the Salinas Chamber of Commerce.  He was a past president of Hartnell College Board of Trustees, Alisal Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Benevolent Association and Chinese School.  York was a strong believer in education and helped fund several elementary schools in his native China.

 
Robert Lee Photo.jpg

The Robert Vun Yau Lee Memorial Award was established by Gladys Lee and Roger Lee since 2016 in the memory of Robert's active involvement in SBCC and his love of music.

Robert Vun Yau Lee (1932-2015) was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.  He was in the Army and served in Korea.  He graduated from San Francisco State University and worked for PG&E for 30 years.  For many years, Robert was instrumental in bringing the Hawaiian culture, dance, music and sports to people in the Bay Area.  Robert loved playing the ukulele.  A long-time member of SBCC, Robert served as President of SBCC in 1971-72 and 1993-94, chaired and participated in numerous committees of the Ways and Means.  Because of his love of golf, Robert also volunteered to chair the SBCSC Scholarship Golf Tournament for several years.

 

 

 

The Karl Ngan Memorial Scholarship Award is one of the longest standing memorial scholarship award established by by the families of Karl, the second president of SBCC.  The family members are: Frances Ngan, Clifton & Michelle Ngan, Felix & Lily Ngan, Kevin & Julie-Ngan Trainor, and Jim & Laura Phillips.

Karl Ngan (1926-1994) was born in Tucson, AZ.  He served in the Army’s 42nd Engineer Construction Battalion in Korea during WWII before completing his BS in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and his M. Eng. in Structural Engineering from Yale.  Karl and his family moved to Fremont in 1965.  He enjoyed a long and successful career with the Alameda County Water District, serving as Engineering Manager until his retirement.  Karl was an active member of the South Bay Chinese Club and its Service Club.  He served as President of SBCC from 1967 to 1968.  Karl instilled the values of education and community service to his family.  His memorial scholarship honors these values and recognizes those in the coming generation who will continue to respect these ideals.

 

The Dick F. Szeto Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 2016 by Dennis and Elaine Szeto to remember Dennis' father's and his lifetime achievements and contributions to the community.

Dick F. Szeto (1917-2010) was a Hoiping native and a civil service worker in Guangdong Province.  He earned his law degree at the Chinese Mun Fah University in Guangzhou. His desire to practice law was cut short due to the Communist takeover of China.  He came to the U.S. in the 1950s and opened his own grocery store in Oakland in 1960s.  Husband to Lila Ginn and father of four, he encouraged his children, who all completed college to love their families and give back to the community. He served as president of four S.F. civic, literary, and family associations. He enjoyed calligraphy as well as composing essays and poetry, and sponsored siblings’ and godbrother’s families to the U.S. in the 1970s so they can have better lives.

 
Howard Tom Photo.jpg

The Howard Tom Memorial Scholarship Award is a long standing award created to honor the founding father of the South Bay Chinese Club by combining individual club member's donations each year .

Howard Tom (1908-1996) is the founder and charter president of South Bay Chinese Club.  He served four terms as SBCC president (1966-67, 67-68, 70-71, and 80-81).  Howard came to the United States at age 14 and was held at Angel Island for two weeks before allowing to enter.  Howard was the President of Fremont Art Association, served on the city’s Recreation Commission, and in 1965, named Chairman of the Bay Area Parks and Recreation Commissions Council.  Howard was also the founder of the Chinese Club at the Fremont Senior Center.

 
Evelyn and Frank Tong.jpg

The Frank & Evelyn Tong Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 2018 to honor the Frank and Evelyn, both founding members of the South Bay Chinese Club.

Evelyn Tong (1920 -2017) was a 4th generation Chinese American.  She was born and raised in Fresno where she attended Fresno State met her future husband Frank and was married in Yuma Arizona in the early 1940’s.  During WWII, Evelyn worked for the airplane industry in San Diego and eventually moved to Newark in the early 1950’s.  She worked for the Newark Unified School District for many years and raised three Children (Patricia, Darlene and Bill).  As a founding member and long time membership chair of the SBCC she enjoyed the social camaraderie and was always one of the last to leave a party.                   

Frank Tong (1915-1991) was born in China in 1915 and immigrated to the US when he was 7 years old and grew up in Marin County.  He worked in the airplane industry in San Diego until WWII when joined the Navy and was stationed in Chicago.  After moving to the Bay Area in the 1950’s, Frank worked as a building contractor and later in the insurance industry.  As a founding member of the SBCC, Frank enjoyed the friendship and social gatherings.

 
Mary Ruth Wong.jpg

The Mary Ruth Wong Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 2018 by her family to honor her and to remember her accomplishment in music.

Mary Ruth Wong (1925-2017) was born in Tientsin, China, and came to the US in 1948.   She earned her degree in English Literature from Edgecliff College in Cincinnati OH and a MA degree in Music from the University of North Carolina.  She was deeply religious and for 14 years, was stationed in Singapore, doing missionary work for The Grail, a Catholic lay apostolic movement.  Mary Ruth returned to the US to help take care of her own mother, who had emigrated from Communist China. She taught music in schools in Durham NC and later in St Louis MO, as well as private piano students.  After retiring, Mary Ruth moved to Las Cruces NM and lived in a senior community along with many accomplished musicians. Mary Ruth came to Fremont in 2015.  She was always soft spoken with a sweet smile.  Mary Ruth brought beauty and appreciation of music and the arts to all she knew.