Dr Stanley Ho
Dr Ho studied science at HKU in 1939 until the war broke out in 1941, and was a proud resident of Ricci Hall. He was conferred the Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa by his alma mater in 1987.
For decades the HKU family has been blessed by his loyalty, leadership and generosity. He famously said: "All my life, I never said 'No' to challenges. So when HKU approached me for support, my answer was a straight ‘Yes'."
From the Flora Ho Sports Centre on Pokfield Road to the Stanley Ho Sports Centre at Sandy Bay; and from his unending support of Ricci Hall and student sports games to his dedicated service as the Founding Chairman and later Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the HKU Foundation for Educational Development and Research (HKU Foundation), Dr Ho’s contributions to the University all bear witness to his passion for education and commitment to future generations. His vision to create a tradition of alumni giving was realised with the internationally acclaimed “Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge” which is now heralded as a milestone in philanthropy.
FORTITER IN RE,
SUAVITER IN MODO
FORTITER IN RE,
SUAVITER IN MODO
The sculpture, Fortiter in re, Suaviter in modo (外圓内方), was unveiled at the Centennial Garden in recognition of the remarkable contributions made by Dr Stanley Ho to the advancement of the University.
At the ceremony, Dr Ho said: “I am deeply honoured that my alma mater has erected this sculpture. My grateful thanks also go to my fellow alumni who participated in the Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge, which I initiated in 2005. Thank you very much for sharing my dream and contributing together to the ongoing growth and development of HKU!”
The name of the sculpture, Fortiter in re, Suaviter in modo, meaning “vigorous in deed, gentle in manner” was adopted from a writing by the Very Rev Claudio Acquaviva, SJ (1543 –1615), an Italian Jesuit priest. The Chinese name “外圓內方” is taken from the History of Later Han Dynasty (後漢書) and has a similar meaning about interacting with others.
“Most important is the name of this sculpture, which in all three languages, truly reflects the warmth, humanity and dedication that Dr Ho has instilled in all of us at HKU,” said Professor Lap-Chee Tsui.
The Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge (何鴻燊校友挑戰計劃), launched in 2005, created a new giving culture by a dollar-for-dollar matching of donations from alumni. Under the scheme, every dollar donated by alumni was matched by Dr Stanley Ho, up to $500 million ($100 million per annum over a five-year period).
By 2010, 13,000 alumni together donated a total of $500 million, benefitting over 100 departments and 500 programmes.
The Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge received a Gold Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in 2007, for its sea-change impact.
