BYU–Hawaii was honored to facilitate the legacy celebration for Leonard and Margaret Fong. The Fongs have been long-time supporters of BYU–Hawaii. Their relationship with the university spans decades and generations with significant financial and personal contributions, including establishing two scholarship funds. The Fong family is passionate about supporting the institution and helping BYU–Hawaii students achieve their educational goals through scholarships and financial aid.
The event was held to honor the legacy and celebrate the memory of the late Leonard and Margaret Fong. Throughout the celebration, a variety of musical numbers and dances were performed to honor the Fongs and offer a chance for the family to reminisce on Leonard’s love of music. Leonard and Margaret’s children shared valuable life lessons they learned from their parents. Reflecting on her parents memory, Deanna Nunley, one of the Fong’s daughters, shared, “I will always be grateful for and indebted to my parents for what they have taught us and shared with us. their legacy reminds us in our daily lives to work harder, be better, serve others, live healthy, smile and laugh and set your goals and dreams big because that makes every day worth waking up for.”
The Fong family has had a long-standing relationship with BYU–Hawaii, beginning with Leonard K. Fong’s parents, who provided housing for students and contributed financially to the university. Leonard continued this support by establishing two scholarships, the Fong Family Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Hiram L. Fong Scholarship, which helped students who were considered to be outstanding in their academic achievements but had financial needs. The family's deep commitment to the university's mission has helped many students from Oceania and the Asian Rim have access to higher education, which has contributed to BYU–Hawaii's community and legacy. Commenting on her father's generosity, Deanna said, “The success of the students was dad's reward.”
Leonard Fong once shared, “I feel blessed for the opportunity I have had to make contributions over the years, knowing the students I have supported will go forward into the world with what they learn at BYU–Hawaii. I am confident that my donations are for a good purpose and are given to those in need of financial help. I appreciate knowing that the university is careful with each dollar it spends. My testimony of the good this university does for the world is strong. I am grateful to be a part of BYU–Hawaii and to have seen the university progress so much over the years.”
Previous university president, Eric Shumway, wrote a letter to the Fong’s in honor of Leonard and Margaret and shared, “I believe the Lord prepares people to be in the right place at the right time for His work to progress. It has been abundantly evident to me that Leonard and Margaret Fong were placed in Hawaii to represent the Lord's heart and hands.” Echoing his remarks, current university president John S.K. Kauwe III spoke to the Fong family during the legacy celebration and said, “What an amazing life that we just honored. A life of purpose, a life of consecration, and a life of excellence. What a blessing Leonard and his family will continue to be to our students for generations.”
The BYU–Hawaii ‘Ohana is honored to have such a meaningful relationship with the Fongs. Students are deeply appreciative of their contributions towards financial aid. Because of the generosity of the Fongs, countless students have received an education and become leaders in their communities and disciples of Jesus Christ.