Dr. James S.C. Chao
Dr. James S.C. Chao and Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao dedicated their lives to promoting the values of education, volunteerism and philanthropy. More than 5,000 American and Chinese students have been given the opportunity to widen their horizons through the generous scholarships provided by the Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation, and other Chao family philanthropies.
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Despite a busy career, Dr. Chao has always found time to serve on numerous boards, including as adjunct professor, advisor, and Trustee of the St. John’s University Board of Governors. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the University and dedication to education, St. John’s conferred its most prestigious award — the Medal of Honor– upon Dr. Chao. Dr. Chao remains as Trustee Emeritus of St. John’s University.
On October 12, 2012, Harvard University announced a momentous gift to the University to construct the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center, which will anchor the Executive Education programs at Harvard Business School. In addition, the gift will support the Ruth Mulan Chu and James Si-Cheng Chao Family Fellowship Fund at Harvard Business School. With this gift, Dr. Chao not only recognized Harvard University’s 375th anniversary, but the 50th anniversary of the admission of women to Harvard Business School, which four of his daughters attended. The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center will also have the distinction of being the first building on the Harvard campus to be named for a woman and for an American of Chinese ancestry.
This accomplishment was attributed to Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao’s passion to make higher education accessible to all. A website delivering a visual portrayal of her family’s history and accomplishments was created by The Harvard Business School to honor her ongoing legacy.
Dr. Chao has received numerous academic, professional and civic awards throughout his career. His academic honors include an honorary Doctorate of Law from Niagara University; an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Nyack University; the Distinguished Achievement & Contribution Award from Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Business at Fu Jen University. He was also honored with the very first Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese American Academic & Professional Society (CAAPS).
Dr. Chao is a recipient of many prestigious civic awards as well. These include the Ellis Island award (with his daughter, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao), and the Horatio Alger Award from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. In addition, Dr. Chao was honored as an Outstanding American by Choice by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and has received the outstanding service award from American Legion Post 1291. Dr. Chao also received the Outstanding Life Achievement Award from the New York Community Times, and the Lifetime Legacy Award from the International Leadership Foundation. He has also been recognized by the Asian-American community for his many contributions. Sing Tao Daily newspaper awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the New York State Asian Job Service Employer Committee honored him with an Outstanding Achievement Award. In 2006, the Asian Pacific American community of Kentucky presented the Special Recognition Award for Life Accomplishments to Dr. and Mrs. Chao. In 2007, Dr. Chao was listed as one of the Top 50 Asian American Business Persons of the Year. In 2010, the Museum of Chinese in America gave its inaugural award of Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to Dr. Chao and his family. The US-China Education Trust awarded Dr. Chao and his philanthropic foundations with the International Leadership Foundation’s inaugural Leadership and Achievement Award in recognition of an inspirational leader who made a difference for his community, country, and the world. In recognition of his outstanding leadership in the maritime community, the Seamen’s Church Institute conferred upon Dr. Chao its highest honor, the Silver Bell Award. Most recently, the Chinese Institute of Engineers, USA presented its Centennial medal to Dr. Chao for his leadership in adopting energy-efficient and eco-friendly ship design and technology. Today Dr. Chao serves as the Honorary Chairman of Foremost Group.