AlumniFocus
Thomas M. Li ’55 by Holly Arndt ’07
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” In accordance with this statement, Thomas M. Li ’55 has made quite a life for himself. For Li, giving is not restricted to one recipient, nor does it need to be strictly monetary. Giving is a trait that has been handed down from generation to generation in Li’s family. Li’s grandfather,Yuan-hung Li (18641928), contributed greatly to society with his leadership. After ten years in the Tianjin Naval Academy,Yuan-Hung served as a high-ranking military officer in the court of the Qing Dynasty. He helped overthrow the dynasty during the revolutionary war, and later became the only man to hold the position of President of the Chinese Republic in Beijing twice (1916-1917 and 1922-1923).
“Without Bishop Gannon’s help, I would not have had the financial means to attend a university in the Unites States.” Name
Thomas M. Li ’55
Career
Retired past President, Treasurer, and CEO of Biotech Research Laboratories
University Affiliations
Member, Universitas Society Recipient, Distinguished Alumni Award, 1985
Family
Late wife, Christine, daughters Pamela and Deborah, sons Kenneth and Patrick
18
Although Li was never able to meet his grandfather, he still gained a great deal of knowledge about him through his father, Edward Li (1901-1981). Li’s grandfather was a very generous person, and his life of service and good deeds had a profound influence on Li’s life. In addition to collecting art,Yuan-Hung was also an artist himself. Li greatly admired his abilities, and in regards to his grandfather’s artwork, Li said that “the art of China is 75 percent painting and 25 percent calligraphy, and he could do both very well.” Artwork has been one of Li’s most significant gifts. His grandfather began a collection of artwork during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) that even included pieces from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Li’s father also added a significant number of pieces in the 1930s and 1940s. Li was able to bring more than 30 pieces to the U.S., and he and his wife donated most of the pieces to various recipients. Another one of Li’s great contributions targeted the general public, in the area of scientific research. In 1973, Li co-founded Biotech Research Laboratories, Inc., which led to the development of a test that allowed blood banks to more properly identify AIDS-positive blood samples. Although there are now more updated versions of the test, this kit was among the first to be developed in an effort to prevent the transfusion of AIDS-infected blood and the subsequent spread of HIV. The giving does not stop there; Thomas Li has contributed a significant amount to Gannon. As a member of the elite Universitas Society (a group of individuals who have given more than $100,000 to Gannon in their lifetime), Li attributes his desire of contributing to Gannon to the fact that the University helped him immigrate to America. In 1952, Archbishop John Mark Gannon offered Li a full four-year scholarship, directly impacting his future. Li said, “Without Bishop Gannon’s help, I would not have had the financial means to attend a university in the Unites States.” After his arrival, Gannon continued to have a significant influence on Li’s life. Li recalls Father Levis, whom he first met in the registrar’s office upon his arrival at Gannon, as one of the many who influenced him by showing him the compassion typical of family members. Gannon not only gave Li the opportunity to come to the United States, but also a set of relationships Li could use as a model to build his life upon. In return for this generosity, Li hopes to continue to assist Gannon in whatever way he can.