By Jeff Wilson
David Lee’s parents, James and Li Ma, came to Southern Illinois University separately in the late-1950s in search of education and a path to a better life, and they found so much more.
“This is their American dream story. Their families had moved to Taiwan from China during World War II, fleeing the Communist regime,” he said. “They were the first of their families to come to the United States. SIU gave them the opportunity to do that.”
The role Southern played in their journey inspired David to make a $25,000 gift, endowing the James T. and Li Ma Lee Scholarship. The funds will support a scholarship for international students in the School of Journalism and/or the School of Education.
“My father came specifically for journalism. He was always intent on working at the New York Times, and that is what he did,” he said.
James came to SIU before Li Ma. He became president of the Chinese Student Association and was already well-established on campus by the time Li Ma arrived in September 1959. As the eldest of eight children, Li Ma came to SIU on a full scholarship for graduate school. After meeting and falling in love, the couple wed in Carbondale’s St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 1961. When James graduated in 1962, they decided to leave for New York.
“My father knocked on the door of the New York Times asking for a job. He took anything they offered, starting at the bottom as a copy boy and eventually becoming one of the newspaper’s first Asian editors,” David said. James’ career at the newspapers spanned more than 30 years.
Despite the success and happiness, one thing had been left unfinished in Carbondale. Li Ma was a single credit short of earning her graduate degree when the couple moved to pursue James’ dream of working at the New York Times.
“When my parents left SIU, my mom was already pregnant with me”, David said. “She had earned her way to SIU and was a tremendous student, always at the top of her class.”
After James passed away in 2012, David was inspired to reach out to SIU and see what could be done to recognize his mother’s academic achievement. He worked with Kelly Mason and Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee, who was the dean of the graduate school, to find a solution.
“I decided to bring closure to her,” David said. “After 60 years, SIU bestowed her an honorary degree. It is beyond words. She was shocked. To this day, that degree sits on her dining room table. It meant everything to her.”
With Li Ma turning 90 years old next year, David thought making a gift to support other international students would be a great way to honor his parents.
“What do you get someone who is 90? I thought this might be the greatest gift,” he said. “My mom and dad’s stories intertwined at SIU. Of all the places for them to meet, it was meant to be. SIU is forever in our hearts.”
To learn more about making a gift, visit siuf.org.