Paying It Forward

February 9, 2023

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, then dean of the College (left), celebrated Alex Yong '90 and Wendi Sturgis’ gift at Carolina’s campaign kickoff in October 2018. The couple’s support benefits scholarships, the Writing and Learning Center and diversity initiatives in the department of computer science. (Photo by Jafar Fallahi)

“We believe strongly that all college students, no matter their background, should have every resource available to ensure their ultimate success,” said Alex Yong ’90, Arts and Sciences Foundation board member. “We know that a UNC-Chapel Hill degree will change the trajectory of a person’s life forever.”

Yong and his wife, Wendi Sturgis, who is an alumna of Georgia Tech and chair of its advisory board, have given generously to several areas of the College that reflect their passions. In addition to contributing annually to the Arts and Sciences Fund, they support technology and innovation in the Writing and Learning Center and diversity initiatives in the department of computer science. They have also documented a planned gift to create a need-based scholarship and expand their support of the Writing and Learning Center and the department of computer science.

“The Writing and Learning Center is available for all Carolina students at all academic levels, but it is particularly helpful to first-generation and transfer students — roughly 40 percent of the students who visit the Center are from these two groups,” Yong said.

Regarding their creation of the Alexander Yong and Wendi Sturgis Computer Science Diversity Initiative, Sturgis added, “We know firsthand the huge impact a strong technical education can have on your life. I strive to be a role model for young women professionally, and by creating a computer science diversity initiative fund, we hope to make the path a little easier for women and students who are traditionally underrepresented in this field to pursue a path in technology.”

Yong said they both feel fortunate that their college experiences shaped their lives in more ways than just academics. “We felt it was important to make our commitments earlier in life to support the capital campaigns of our universities and to help ensure that our alma maters have the resources they need to continue their commitments to excellence.”