A retired faculty leader at the West Virginia University Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources pledged $3 million on May 4 to establish endowed chair and professor positions at the college. Syd Peng, of Fremont, California, made the planned gift in his will as a tribute to his family’s academic legacy and his long-standing commitment to West Virginia University.
The announcement highlights Peng’s more than five decades of devotion to WVU, including nearly 40 years as a faculty member and 28 years as department chair of mining engineering. The endowed positions will be named for Peng and his late wife, Felicia, who was also a longtime faculty member in mining engineering.
WVU President Michael T. Benson will recognize Peng’s service by bestowing a Presidential Honorary Degree during Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 15-17. Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College, said: “I am deeply moved by this extraordinary and meaningful gift and grateful for Dr. Peng’s incredible generosity. The establishment of this endowed chair and professorship, honoring the distinguished careers of Syd and his late wife, Felicia, represents a lasting investment in our college. Their legacy will continue to inspire innovation, scholarship and opportunities for generations to come.”
Peng’s journey began in Taiwan where he worked in coal mines before immigrating to the United States in 1965 for further studies at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He met Felicia at Stanford University; both earned advanced degrees before joining WVU where they contributed significantly through research projects—supervising over 100 projects with more than $12 million secured from government and private sources—and mentoring students across several decades.
Syd Peng launched the International Conference on Ground Control in Mining which continues today in West Virginia; he has also authored numerous textbooks on topics such as longwall mining and ground control techniques. Felicia completed her doctorate while teaching mineral processing courses at WVU.
Throughout their careers at WVU—a university that encompasses a network of distinctive campuses—Syd said he was always impressed by alumni loyalty: “WVU mining engineering alumni are all over the coal mining industry in the U.S… You need alumni loyalty to the program to support the future of WVU mining engineering.” According to the official website, West Virginia University fosters an inclusive community embracing diverse contributions; it has produced notable scholarship recipients including 25 Rhodes Scholars and draws inspiration from its motto ‘Mountaineers Go First.’
After retiring from Morgantown following Felicia’s passing in 2021, Syd relocated closer to family but remains committed through continued philanthropy aimed at supporting future generations within engineering education.
