The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has received a $300,000 transformational gift from Dr. Silver Kung, a globally recognized investment leader, distinguished member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Wichita State alumnus, and founder of Siegfried Capital Group, and his wife, Doriya Li. The gift establishes the Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund, a forward-looking initiative designed to significantly expand real-world learning, professional development, and entrepreneurial opportunities for Barton School students.
“As a proud Wichita State alumnus and internationally respected leader, Dr. Kung embodies the global mindset, intellectual curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit we strive to instill in our students,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “This generous investment by Dr. Kung and Ms. Li will meaningfully elevate the student experience—preparing our students to secure outstanding internships and full-time roles, and to launch bold, high-impact entrepreneurial ventures, while connecting classroom learning with real-world application in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The fund will support a set of high-impact priorities designed to strengthen student success and workforce readiness, professional and leadership development programming that builds career readiness, communication, and personal effectiveness; entrepreneurial support and venture development that enables students to launch, grow, and scale innovative ideas; and immersive experiential learning opportunities, including exposure to leading innovation ecosystems such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where students engage directly with venture capital firms, startups, and industry leaders.
Dr. Silver Kung is a globally recognized investment leader, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate with more than two decades of experience across capital markets and asset management. As Founder and Chairman of Siegfried Capital Group and Siegfried Asset Management Limited, he has built a distinguished 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 AIF and Cayman-domiciled funds, advising institutional investors worldwide on complex, high-impact 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 entrepreneurial 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 deeply 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 deeply 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 excellence in business education, innovation, and community impact. The Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund strengthens that legacy by ensuring 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.