The Barton School of Business has received a $300,000 gift from Dr. Silver Kung — a globally recognized investment leader, member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Wichita State alumnus, and founder of Siegfried Capital Group — and his wife, Doriya Li. Their contribution establishes the Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund, a forward‑looking initiative designed to expand real‑world learning, professional development, and entrepreneurial opportunities for Barton School students.
As part of Wichita State’s strategic plan, every degree‑seeking student is guaranteed an applied learning or research experience before graduation — a commitment that has positioned WSU as a national model for career preparation and industry collaboration. To accelerate this work, the new fund will support a set of projects, including immersive experiential learning opportunities. These experiences will expose students to leading innovation ecosystems such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where they can engage directly with venture capital firms, startups, and industry leaders.
“Dr. Kung represents the kind of curiosity, global awareness, and innovative mindset we work to cultivate in our students, and we’re grateful for the example he sets.” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School of Business. “This gift from Dr. Kung and Ms. Li will open doors for our students — helping them gain internships, launch new ventures, and apply what they learn in the classroom to real opportunities in a fast-changing global economy."
As Founder and Chairman of Siegfried Capital Group and Siegfried Asset Management Limited, Dr. Silver Kung has built a career at the intersection of hedge funds, renewable energy private equity, and trade finance innovation. Today, he serves as Executive Director of a Luxembourg CSSF-regulated SICAV fund, as well as multiple Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) advising institutional investors worldwide on complex financial strategies.
Born and raised in Taiwan and educated in the United States and China, Dr. Kung holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, an M.S. in Finance, and a Ph.D. in Economics. His early ventures include founding Hyperion Capital Management in 2011, where he led solar energy investments across Italy and Spain. In 2015, he launched Siegfried Capital to pioneer the emerging asset class of supply chain finance, which has since become the firm’s singular strategic focus. His leadership is rooted in responsible investing: he is a member of UBS’s Global Philanthropy Climate Change Collective, and under his guidance, Siegfried Capital became a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI).
Beyond finance, Dr. Kung is also engaged in the arts and storytelling. In Fall 2025, a musical he produced was staged off-Broadway in New York, reflecting his commitment to creative expression and cultural impact. He is currently completing his forthcoming book, Silver’s Linings, a reflective work that explores resilience, leadership, and optimism, drawing from his personal journey across global finance and life’s defining challenges.
“We hope this funding opens doors to meaningful opportunities,” said Kung. “The Barton School is building a powerful, modern model of applied business education, and we are proud to support its mission to prepare students to secure outstanding internships, launch successful careers, and thrive in an increasingly global economy.”
The gift arrives during the Barton School’s centennial year, marking 100 years of business education, innovation, and community impact. The Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund strengthens that legacy by enabling future generations of Barton students graduate not only with strong academic foundations, but with the confidence, experience, and global perspective needed to succeed in an evolving world.
To learn more about the Barton School of Business and its programs, visit https://www.wichita.edu/business.
To learn more about the Barton School’s Centennial and how to support scholarships, visit https://www.wichita.edu/academics/business/100th-anniversary.php.