The Barton School of Business is the home of real and applied learning. A place where
students apply knowledge gained from faculty and business leaders while developing
professional and life skills. The Barton School is among the top 1% of business schools
worldwide due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. Housed
in the award-winning Woolsey Hall, the school features artwork, sculptures, gardens,
and The Promise Bridge—a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water in front of
the building.
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.
