Reston, VA, November 08th, 2021 — Kimmy Duong Foundation would like to share with you our recent activities.
On Thursday, October 28th, 2021, Montgomery College held a ceremony unveiling the sign for: “Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Student Service Center”
Philanthropist’s $1 million gift aims to expand diversity at Montgomery College
When Kimmy Duong left Vietnam in 1975, she had $30 in her pocket and a job offer to work at IBM in Bethesda, Maryland. She spoke some English and wondered how she would fare in the United States.
Since then, she and her husband, Dr. Long Nguyen, have donated millions to universities in Maryland and Virginia.
Montgomery College in Rockville received the couple’s most recent gift: $1 million for scholarships to minority students.
On Thursday, the college said thank you by naming its new state-of-the-art student services building after the couple.
“Without support of this country, we are not where we are,” Duong said. “So, giving back is always on our mind; and, giving back to education is the best way of giving back.”
Four of Duong’s nieces and nephews attended Montgomery College before heading to four-year universities. Through Duong’s foundation, she has also supported students going to several area colleges.
The philanthropist decided to give the donation because of the college’s commitment to inclusion on campus.
About 25% of students represent a particular race or culture, said Interim President Dr. Charlene Dukes.
“We’re going to make sure that we are serving the most diverse student population in the state of Maryland,” Dukes said. “This is what it’s all about.”
Duong believes that students, especially immigrants, will benefit from seeing a Vietnamese name on the five-story student center that sits prominently on campus.
“I want to encourage people to believe in themselves,” Duong said. “If I can do it, everybody else can do it.”
Author: WTOP/Gigi Barnett
or more information, please visit: https://thekimmyduongfoundation.org/wtop-mc-article and https://bit.ly/3wpsnfX
Established by Pragmatics Chief Financial Officer and Vice-Chair Kimmy Duong in 2015, the Kimmy Duong Foundation has committed to providing educational and humanitarian support for Vietnamese and American communities. The Kimmy Duong Foundation continues to raise funds and call for individual and corporate sponsors to support struggling families during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
About the Kimmy Duong Foundation
Education and Health are the cornerstones of a productive and fulfilling life. Established in 2015, the Kimmy Duong Foundation provides scholarship support to students and immediate humanitarian aid to people in need in Vietnam and the United States to eliminate barriers to their success. Visit website: https://thekimmyduongfoundation.org/.
About PragmaticSERVES
Committed to serving communities across the United States and around the world, Ms. Duong and Dr. Long Nguyen, Pragmatics’ CEO and Founder lead Pragmatics’ Corporate Responsibility program known as PragmaticSERVES. Through this charitable giving program, Pragmatics maintains a vibrant culture of generosity, responsibility, and social awareness. For more than three decades, Pragmatics and its employees have contributed to numerous organizations and causes, focusing on improving the quality of life for people in need, providing relief in times of turmoil, and promoting education and economic development. Learn more: https://www.pragmatics.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/.