The Columbia Business School community was saddened to learn of the passing of Alfonso Yuchengco ’50, a member of the School’s Board of Overseers for two decades and a generous supporter of the School’s alumni community in Asia. He died earlier this month at the age of 94.
Yuchengco was the chairman and founder of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, one of the largest and most successful financial conglomerates in the Philippines. He also held many diplomatic positions throughout his career, serving as Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations, ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (1986–88); and ambassador to Japan (1995–98). In 2001, he was named presidential special envoy to China, Japan, and Korea, and in 2004 was appointed a presidential advisor on foreign affairs. His numerous awards and honors include the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star, granted in 1993 by the emperor of Japan.
In addition to serving on the School’s Board of Overseers since 1997, Yuchengco was also a longtime supporter of the Columbia Business Fund and the Annual Dinner. In 2006, he endowed the Yuchengco Fellowship, which is awarded to outstanding students. He served as a member of the steering committee for the first Pan-Asian Reunion, held in 2008 in Hong Kong, and hosted many alumni events in Manila.