Duke Kunshan University’s Department of Athletics has hosted its first Scholar-Athlete Leadership Awards, recognizing 12 seniors for their contribution to the sports program since its launch four years ago.
The founders of sports clubs, captains of varsity teams and talented athletes excelling in their chosen field were honored at the Zoom ceremony on May 1.
Duke Kunshan Chancellor Youmei Feng and Dean of Student Affairs Raphael Moffett praised both the recipients from the Class of 2022 and the sports clubs for the key roles they played in DKU life.
“The award winners today have helped build the foundations of the university sports program and continued to promote DKU values through club leadership and individual excellence,” Feng said in her opening remarks.
“You have created a legacy as DKU athlete pioneers that paves the way for future classes’ success.”
Moffett, a huge supporter of the athletics program, said, “Athletics is a big part of our identity, and I believe that the athletics opportunities we provide really are gateways to learning life lessons.”
Director of Athletics Zarko Krkeljas presented the awards along with other staff and instructors from the department.
“The student-athletes awarded today have demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, academic performance and contributions to DKU and wider community,” Krkeljas told the ceremony.
Among the winners was Gary Cui, the first captain of the men’s basketball team.
“I want to thank everyone in the DKU basketball team, including Arthur, Steven, Tim, Westley, Alfred, BD, Ethan and everyone I have fought with gloriously representing DKU,” Cui said.
“With the commitment we have made, we stayed together and went through the four years as a group, as a team, as a community and as brothers. We have made it and it is such a great achievement for all of us!”
The successful staging of the inaugural scholar-athlete awards will serve as a platform for future events, in recognition of the displays of excellence — both on and off the field — of individuals, sports clubs and organizations.
Krkeljas and his team started the athletics program at DKU from scratch in spring 2018.
Class of 2022 student-athletes established 14 sports and recreation clubs in their first year, with the current line-up offering activities such as running, tai chi, kendo and dance.
The university also formed varsity teams in popular sports including badminton, table tennis, soccer and basketball.
The 12 inaugural recipients of a Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award
Wei-Li Wu, Kendo (award presented by Quanwei Yan, PE instructor)
Mingfeng Cao, Kendo (Quanwei Yan, PE instructor)
Remington Gillis, Mixed Martial Arts (Wanyi Jiang, sports and recreation coordinator)
Yutong Lu, Softball (Yang Yang, PE Instructor)
Henry Stevens, Running (Zarko Krkeljas, athletics director)
Xiaonan Wang, Badminton (Yangjie Zhang, PE instructor)
Yunke Gu, Table Tennis (Bingfang Li, PE instructor)
Ruihan Wan, Football (Peng Zhao, senior PE instructor)
John Lewis, Football (Peng Zhao, senior PE instructor)
Jiayuan Li, Basketball (Kang An, sports engagement coordinator)
Zhengyuan Cui, Basketball (Zarko Krkeljas, athletics director)
Yanfei Mao, Basketball (Zarko Krkeljas, athletics director)
