Board Chair Dr. William W.M. Cheung Recognized with Penn’s Alumni Award of Merit

Dr. William W.M. Cheung (far left) with the other award recipients and Penn President Amy Gutmann (center).

Philadelphia – Penn Dental Medicine alumnus and Board of Overseers Chair Dr. William W. M. Cheung has been recognized with one of the University of Pennsylvania’s highest alumni awards as a 2019 recipient of the Alumni Award of Merit. Each year, Penn Alumni presents the award to distinguished alumni volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the University. Dr. Cheung was one five Alumni Award of Merit recipients this year, honored at a gala held November 8 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Cheung, who earned his DMD at Penn Dental Medicine in 1981 and completed an AEGD residency here in 1982, has served Penn as a longtime leader and global bridge builder, while developing a thriving dental practice in his native Hong Kong. His leadership at Penn Dental Medicine spans nearly two decades of service on the School’s Board of Overseers, which he joined in 2001 and has led as Chair since 2008. Presently, he also serves as Co-Chair of the Power of Penn Dental Medicine capital campaign. His own philanthropy to the School has included gifts to fund the William W.M. Cheung Advanced Dental Care Center, William W.M. Cheung Auditorium, and the Cheung Family World Scholars.

“Bill’s commitment to Penn and the dental school is beyond measure,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Mark Wolff. “Through his leadership, our Board of Overseers has continued to grow and support our mission in a variety of new ways.”

Dr. Cheung has been engaged at Penn at a University-wide level as well. Presently an Emeritus Trustee, Dr. Cheung was appointed as a Trustee of the University in 2007. Expanding Penn’s global reach and engagement in East Asia has been a part of his legacy. He oversaw Penn’s establishment of the Hong Kong Foundation and was a key supporter in the development of the Penn Wharton China Center.

Building his family’s ties to Penn, both of Dr. Cheung’s daughters are also Penn alumni — Stefani graduated from the College in 2008 and earned her DMD at Penn Dental Medicine in 2011, daughter Liana is a 2012 graduate of the College.