A Life Never in Journalism, Yet a Lifelong Devotion to It: Wei Ming-Kuang Donates $15 Million to National Chengchi University to Safeguard Taiwanese Journalism

From the poor farming village of Baoshan, Hsinchu, to the high society circles of Philadelphia in the U.S., 83-year-old Wei Ming-Kuang has circled the globe. Yet the identity he cherishes most is not that of a self-made Chinese-American restaurant tycoon, but as an alumnus of the 29th class of the NCCU Department of Journalism.

Wei’s educational journey was unique. After graduating from junior high, his family’s financial situation led him to enroll in the tuition-free Hsinchu Teachers College. After graduation, he fulfilled the public service requirement by teaching in Taipei for three years. Determined to pursue higher education, Wei applied to university. While most peers favored National Taiwan University, Wei, deeply concerned about his country and society, chose the Department of Journalism at NCCU as his first choice—and was admitted as the top student.

He felt that the public lacked a sense of responsibility and moral consciousness, and that Taiwan’s international situation was unfavorable. He believed that journalism could more quickly and effectively elevate social awareness and inspire people than teaching could.

In 1965, Wei entered NCCU as a top student, receiving close attention from faculty. Determined not to disappoint expectations, he studied diligently for four years, graduating at the top of his class once again, and then pursued a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri, a long-established training ground for journalists in the U.S.

At that time, most Taiwanese students studying in the U.S. faced financial difficulties and often worked in local Chinese restaurants to cover tuition and living expenses.

During his part-time work, Wei discovered his interest in cuisine and restaurant management. In the summer, he worked at the Queen Restaurant in Washington, D.C.—then the city’s most prestigious Chinese restaurant, frequented by former U.S. President Nixon and former Secretary of State Kissinger.

It was here that Wei sensed a business opportunity and began contemplating running his own restaurant. After earning his master’s degree, he first worked at a law firm in Washington to save money. Soon, a Chinese restaurant in Philadelphia became available for takeover, marking the start of his legendary career in the restaurant industry.

Wei admitted that his first restaurant was “rustic” and initially catered to American tastes with sweet-and-sour flavors. Later, he incorporated Northern Chinese cuisine to create differentiation.

At first glance, restaurants and journalism seem like divergent paths, yet the principles of good journalism—novelty and uniqueness—shaped Wei’s thinking. He adopted a pioneering approach by blending Chinese and Western ingredients and seasonings, an approach no one dared to try at the time. Wei risked customer rejection, testing dishes alongside chefs, and his bold innovations attracted local media coverage, boosting the restaurant’s profile.

Wei also applied his journalism training to marketing. Whenever there were new dishes, awards, or media coverage, he issued press releases to patrons and organized wine tastings and cooking classes. These initiatives, decades ahead of today’s social media and word-of-mouth marketing trends, were pioneering at the time.

In 2011, Wei’s restaurant “Yang Ming Xuan” was named the top U.S. Chinese restaurant by Chinese Restaurant News, and Wei was recognized as one of the twelve most influential figures in the U.S. Chinese restaurant industry.

From a penniless student in the U.S. to running six restaurants and becoming a successful tycoon, Wei’s accomplishments were dazzling. Yet only he knew that no amount of success could erase his guilt for leaving journalism behind.

After graduating from Missouri, Wei had been invited by his university mentor, Yao Peng—the then-editor-in-chief of the Central Daily News—to return to Taiwan and work in journalism. Few could have predicted that his polite refusal at the time would become a turning point in his life.

Grateful for his alma mater and the Department of Journalism for shaping him, but feeling he had contributed nothing to the journalism profession, Wei’s sense of guilt grew as he aged. Remembering the financial hardships of his university years and the nearly ten scholarships he had received, he felt immense gratitude and seeded a desire to give back.

In 2023, Wei decided to use a lifetime of effort to repay a lifetime of guilt.

The elderly gentleman, deeply sentimental, donated his hard-earned assets—initially announcing a $10 million gift to NCCU, setting a record in the past decade for the largest individual cash donation for scholarships in Taiwan, and one of the few major donations aimed specifically at promoting journalism.

Later, Wei added another $5 million, bringing the total to $15 million.

“Taiwan is my root, my eternal homeland. In the twilight of my life, I hope to contribute whatever I can to Taiwan,” Wei repeatedly said in interviews, explaining his motivation.

Wei believes that a good society requires a strong media, and a strong media requires a healthy environment and oversight. Regardless of changing times, “verification and truth-seeking” remain core journalistic values. Through improving the media environment, he hopes to restore journalists’ sense of responsibility and mission, earning society’s respect.

Part of the $15 million will be awarded as scholarships to students, not only recognizing academic achievement but also supporting diverse definitions of “excellence,” including study abroad opportunities. Another portion will fund lectures featuring outstanding journalists from Taiwan and abroad. Finally, an outstanding journalism award will be established, recognizing both traditional values and innovative breakthroughs.

Although he never became a journalist, Wei has never forgotten journalism. The former “deserter” has now become a guardian of the profession. Compared to the parallel universe where he became a reporter, perhaps this version of Wei Ming-Kuang represents an even more meaningful ending for the journalism world he holds dear.