Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University has announced it has received a $15 million gift from the Sallie Wang Revocable Trust. The donation comes from the estate of Sallie Wang, widow of the late Professor Chin Ling Wang, who served as a tenured librarian at the university for nearly three decades before retiring in the early 1980s.

Professor Wang played a significant role in developing the university’s library resources. He was responsible for transferring the library collection from St. John’s former Brooklyn campus to its current location in Queens and was instrumental in establishing the Asian Collection at the university. This collection, which began with a few hundred books in the early 1960s, has grown to include tens of thousands of titles, covering areas such as Chinese philosophy, theology, history, literature, Asian art, business, economics, and political science.

During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Professor Wang helped preserve several historical artifacts that might otherwise have been lost. He also contributed to the Institute for Asian Studies, which was established in 1959 to promote a global and multicultural education at St. John’s.

In 2006, a $1 million gift from Professor Wang and his wife led to the creation of the Chin Ying Asian Library on the Queens campus. The couple also established annual scholarships in 2005 for graduate students pursuing degrees in East Asian Studies or Chinese Studies.

The Wangs were members of The Founders Society, having donated over $1 million during their lifetime, and The McCallen Society, which recognizes those who include the university in their estate plans. Professor Wang received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2006 for his contributions.

Professor Wang died in 2015 at age 99, while Sallie Wang passed away earlier this year at age 94.

University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., expressed gratitude for the donation, stating: “As a philosopher, I often react to unexpected moments by pursuing a philosophical explanation. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that God’s providence guides all things, including unforeseen events, within a broader framework of purpose. With that in mind—and with a heart filled with gratitude—I write to share some surprising news recently received that personifies the sheer wonder of the place we call St. John’s University.”

He added: “I want to thank two members of Sallie’s family, Carol Wang and her husband, Brandon Qu, for their help and thoughtful assistance in ensuring that her lasting wishes were fulfilled.”

“With profound gratitude to the Wang family and to the work of the Office of Advancement, I share this news to amplify the enduring and transformative impact of St. John’s. Through the University’s $400-million Hearts on Fire campaign, the power of philanthropy will continue to have a strong and positive impact on our students, faculty, facilities, and programs. Indeed, we are a blessed institution.”

The university will allocate the $15 million donation according to discussions with Sallie Wang’s family.