Wilfred Uytengsu, Sr. 1927–2010 Mr. Wilfred Uytengsu, Sr. was a man revered as much for his philanthropy as he was respected for his business acumen. Affectionately known as “Mr. Fred” by the many people who respect his accomplishments and admire his kind nature, he was a man who valued education, hard work and integrity.
but integrated a new floor and roof system as well as energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems. A $1.34 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy allowed the university to partner with WaterFurnace International on installation of an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system as part of the renovation. The project had an initial goal of achieving LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Level Certification, but has exceeded expectations and has been submitted for Gold Level Certification. The building provides space for the university’s leadership offices and serves as a living laboratory for the study of sustainability and energy efficiency. Indiana Tech offers a bachelor’s degree in energy engineering, and students and faculty will conduct research studies on the facility’s geothermal system. The first floor of the building includes a Campus Welcome Center, also named in honor of Uytengsu. It houses a gathering area for alumni and visitors, display cases with artifacts from the university’s history, and monitors that display information about the center’s energy usage. A one-hour PBS documentary chronicling the history of the building and the renovation process entitled “Green Renovation: New Life for a 19th Century Building” will air on WFWA Channel 39 in the Fort Wayne area, and it will be made available for PBS stations throughout the country.
“He was a warm, loving and generous man,” said Indiana Tech President Arthur Snyder. “I regret not meeting him sooner and having more time to get to know him. The fifth of twelve children of Don Tirso Uytengsu and Honey Tan, he was born in 1927 in Dumaguete City, Philippines, and when the family settled in Manila he finished high school at Silliman University. He loved learning, a trait he credited his parents with instilling. When he would speak of the road to success he described how the opportunity to study at U.S. universities added to his appreciation of education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University in 1950 and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Indiana Tech in 1951. Mr. Uytengsu was awarded an honorary doctorate from Silliman University in 2007. In accepting the honor, he commented on the importance of education. “In today’s globalized world, an individual with a more diversified education and frame of mind will be in a better position to contribute and succeed … while an education does not necessarily guarantee success in the business world, it certainly provides a foundation for one to start with,” he said in his speech. After several years working in his parents’ business, he founded General Milling Corporation in the late 1950s and built it into one of the largest food companies in the Philippines. He also founded Holland Milk Products, Inc. in 1972 and later merged the two companies to create the Alaska Milk Corporation, the largest producer of dairy products in the Philippines. Mr. Uytengsu served as the chairman and CEO of AMC and on the boards of Universal Foods Corporation of Wisconsin; Kuok Philippine Properties, Inc.; the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Manila; and a number of philanthropic organizations. He was the owner of Wentworth Development Corporation and was the chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Alaska Aces, who have won 13 championships, a fact in which he took great pleasure. “The best business plan without the effort is just a dream,” he once said. “Once one has started a business, one can only succeed by working harder and at a faster rate than one’s competitor.” Amidst the demands of business, though, he cherished his family: his wife, the former Bonnie Brooks; their children Wilfred Jr., Candice, and Michael; and their beloved grandchildren.
Volume 7, Issue 1
Fall 2010
9