Skip to content
News

Xing Zong Receives William J. Griffiths Service Award

Xing Zong (Ph.D. Physics ‘10) was awarded the William J. Griffiths University Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Global Community. This award honors graduating students whose service and contributions have significantly influenced University life.

A native of Yangzhou, China and the recipient of an A.B. degree in Physics from Nanjing University, Xing Zong explains “my parents gave me this name because it stands for ‘thriving’ in Chinese.” And thrive at Duke is what he was able to do. Xing served as President of the Duke Chinese Students and Scholars Association (DCSSA), was elected as a Graduate Student Young Trustee, and was a recipient of the Samuel Cook Society Award for promoting diversity. Xing led in co-designing and implementing the www.DukeChina.org Web site, and served as the University student liaison for President Brodhead’s first official visit to Asia in 2006.

Soon after coming to Duke Xing discovered that on road signs “Xing” indicates “Crossing.” “This is also a great sign,” he says, “because I am indeed at the crossroads of two cultures.” While at Duke, Xing Zong selflessly devoted his time, energy, and expertise to increasing local and global understanding of what it truly means to be a citizen of the world. He artfully used his education, his international savvy, his genuine concern for others, and his loyalty to Duke in helping to define what truly makes this a special place to work, study, and grow.

The William J. Griffith University Service Award is fitting recognition of Xing Zong’s contributions to the Duke community. Xing is currently employed as an associate in the Equity Division at Morgan Stanley.