Indiana State University has recognized a $250,000 gift from alumni and siblings Yanya Yang and Neng Yang by naming the Yang Family University Art Gallery in the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts.
Indiana State University has recognized a $250,000 gift from alumni and siblings Yanya Yang and Neng Chiang Yang by naming the Yang Family University Art Gallery in the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts.
The Yangs, who are from China and now live in the U.S., were international graduate students at ISU. Yanya Yang earned her Master of Fine Arts degree with a graphic design concentration in 1999. Neng Chiang Yang earned his MFA degree with a painting concentration in 1997.
“We are so appreciative of the Yang family’s generosity to ISU and the Department of Art and Design,” ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. “With this gift, they will support generations of art students and advance the mission of the University Art Gallery.”
The Yangs’ giving to ISU exceeds $277,000. They established the Yang Family Art Scholarship in 2019 and the Yang Family Enrichment Fund in 2022. The funds enhance the overall experience for art students through scholarship support and professional development and funding exhibitions, programming, and infrastructure enhancement in the University Art Gallery.
“My passion is from our father’s encouragement of learning art when we were very young,” Neng Chiang Yang said, “and I believe that art is a passion and love beyond race, religion, and nationality. Art can bring people together.”
Yanya Yang remembered her experience at ISU fondly.
“While studying at ISU as an international student, I had a sense of belonging,” she said. “I was warmly welcomed and strongly supported by my professors and the ISU community. Moreover, I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and develop talents I never knew I had.”
Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, thanked the Yang Family for supporting Sycamore students.
“We are so grateful for the Yang family’s continued, incredible generosity to support our Art and Design majors at Indiana State,” Olsen said “Their enhanced scholarship fund will now benefit even more of our outstanding students. In addition, their new fund to help support exhibitions and students’ professional development opens new doors for our majors in terms of their career readiness and preparation to work professionally after graduation.
“In particular, we look forward to hosting new exhibitions featuring international artists. This is just such wonderful news for Art and Design majors and for experiential learning at ISU.”
Photos of Yanya Yang and Neng Chiang Yang
Media contacts:
Mark Alesia, Director of University Communication
(O) 812-237-3837
(C) 812-229-8020
mark.alesia@indstate.edu
Dianne Powell, Associate Director of University Communication
(O) 812-237-8764
(C) 812-878-2131
DianneFrances.Powell@indstate.edu