Local Leaders Invest in Center for Asian Studies to Benefit Community

Local business leaders Charlie and Pauline Chen have committed $130,000 to the Center for Asian Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas. The majority of their gift will establish the Charlie and Pauline Chen Family Endowment to support future center programming and operations. An additional $30,000 will create a new lecture series — Charlie’s Tech Talks — which will bring distinguished speakers to campus to promote cultural literacy, interest in Asian affairs and vibrant discussions of new technologies.

“Given the nature of UT Dallas and the communities that we serve, it is natural for the center to focus on the societal and cultural impact of technological innovation,” said Dr. Dennis Kratz, director of the Center for Asian Studies. “The importance of nurturing knowledge of, and productive engagement with, Asia — our center’s mission — is self-evident. We are committed to making UT Dallas an exemplar of global understanding.”

The Chens, born in Taiwan, moved to the United States in the 1980s. They have spent 30 years growing their Richardson-based company, DFW Technology, which provides information technology services to industry-leading companies like Texas Instruments, Verizon, T-Mobile and Qualcomm, as well as municipal clients such as Dallas County and Parkland Hospital. Along the way, the Chens became an integral part of Richardson’s economic development efforts, seeking to improve the community.

“This is our home, and everything is connected: the people, businesses, educational institutions.”

Charlie Chen

In 2015, Charlie became the first Asian American to chair the Richardson Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, focused on strengthening international partnerships and driving entrepreneurial innovation. He led members trips to Asia, visiting science parks in Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong while advocating for the creation of similar infrastructure in Texas. These early conversations led to the development of the Richardson Innovation Quarter, now home to 19,000 workers and over 1,000 businesses, including several UTD laboratories. In 2019, Charlie was named the Richardson Citizen of the Year.

The couple’s active investment in the local community led to their introduction to UT Dallas, where longtime relationships with faculty and leadership have extended the impact of their passion for technology and cross-cultural exchange. Charlie first met Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean of the Naveen Jindal School of Management, while working with the Richardson Chamber of Commerce in 2015. The Chens later gifted the University a 38-foot reproduction of a famous Chinese handscroll, Spring Festival Along the River, which is displayed on the first floor of the Jindal School.

A few years later, the couple also became close with Kratz and his wife, Dr. Abby Kratz, former associate provost at UTD. At the time, Dennis Kratz was dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and led UT Dallas’ Confucius Institute. When the University sought to revamp academic programming related to Asian languages, history and art in 2019, Charlie helped envision the institute that would become the Center for Asian Studies.

The Chens see their gift as a way to support more than just students and faculty.

“We think this University can extend its impact off campus,” Charlie said. It can be a promoter of policies and resources throughout the state to help people learn about Asian countries and cultures.”

The Chens say that now more than ever it is important to support efforts connecting people from different backgrounds.

“In today’s interconnected world, international programs play a pivotal role in cultivating universal coexistence,” Pauline said. “By fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, they drive innovative solutions to common challenges. These programs serve as crucial agents in fostering a sense of unity and harmony among humanity.”