Philanthropist and Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Jong Lee to Keynote SSU School of Business and Economics Commencement May 2019

Rohnert Park, CA – The School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Sonoma State University today announced that Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Jong Lee, Class of 1971 and founder of the Oakland-based Lee Accountancy Group, will give the honorary address to over 600 graduating business and economics students, including 63 Sonoma MBA and Executive MBA degree earners, during the two-hour ceremony beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The ceremony will be held in Weill Hall at the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, and will also be live streamed via the university website.

Undergraduate student Sabrina Danscuk, who is expected to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, will provide remarks to fellow graduates.

“Dr. Jong Lee’s life has been one of impact, both in the business world and in the community. His influence can be measured by his work in philanthropy, by his service to others, and through his help in creating opportunities for others to succeed,” said Karen Thompson, interim dean of the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University. “From organizing dinners on behalf of thousands of underserved community members to generously supporting SSU students as they prepare to begin their careers, Jong is unwavering in his commitment to give back.”

“I deeply believe in sharing the fruits of our labor with those who are less fortunate, as much as giving back and lifting those who come behind us, so that, in turn, they may do the same to elevate our communities,” said Dr. Jong Lee. “I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to my alma mater and the Class of 2019 as the honorary keynote.”

Dr. Jong Lee was a North Korean refugee who made his way to Santa Rosa on the advice of a U.S. serviceman that he met while in his youth. Dr. Lee earned his B.A. in Management from SSU, and is one of the founding alumni of the SBE's Accounting program, which now graduates nearly 100 students each year. He went on to work with various private firms and government agencies, and eventually founded his own firm, The Lee Accountancy Group. His firm has been recognized as one of the best firms in Oakland. He also served as the Director of San Francisco State’s U.S.-Korea Business Institute, helping to create industry-to-education ties between the US and South Korea. Dr. Jong Lee has been a long-time supporter of Sonoma State University and the School of Business and Economics, establishing an accounting scholarship and supporting the SBE Career Center.

During her time at SSU, Sabrina Danscuk took up leadership in the student-led Management Club. She worked closely with Dr. Sergio Canavati, assistant professor of entrepreneurship, on a research survey of leadership styles in the wine industry. Ms. Danscuk will be attending graduate school beginning in July 2019.

For more information about the 2019 Commencement ceremony for the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University or a full schedule of all SSU Commencement ceremonies, please visit http://commencement.sonoma.edu. For more information about SBE programs and degrees, please visit http://sbe.sonoma.edu or contact us at (707) 664-2377 or sbe.undergrad@sonoma.edu.