The Center for Chinese Studies congratulates our esteemed colleague, Dr. David Yang, on receiving the University of Hawai‘i “Certificate of Service of 40 Years” from President Hensel in February 2025, and on his retirement this past summer after more than four decades of distinguished service.
Dr. Yang has taught more than 5,000 students at UH Mānoa, in addition to teaching at Peking University, National Taiwan University, and in the UH Executive MBA programs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. He also chaired or co-chaired the dissertation committees of nine accounting Ph.D. graduates between 2004–2024, all of whom secured tenure-track positions at AACSB-accredited business schools and subsequently earned tenure and promotion.
In addition to his teaching and mentorship, Dr. Yang has contributed significantly to academic leadership at UH. His leadership has been especially meaningful for the Center for Chinese Studies. He served as the Director of the Center for Chinese Studies from 2018 to 2021. During his directorship, he launched the Hawai‘i International Conference on Chinese Studies (HICCS), established the CCS Scholarship and Awards Banquet, revived the use of subcommittees on the CCS Executive Committee, and spearheaded the establishment of the John O. & Susan L. Chun Endowment Funds, which provide lasting program support for CCS within the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters.
Dr. Yang’s vision, leadership, and commitment have left a lasting mark on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Center for Chinese Studies. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Yang’s numerous contributions to teaching, mentorship, and leadership, as well as for the strong foundation he has built for CCS. Please join us in celebrating his remarkable career and accomplishments. We wish him health, happiness, and fulfillment in his well-deserved retirement.
