Charles Wang Hosts Scholars for Islanders' Game

Powell Center Advisory Council Member Charles Wang, owner of the New York Islanders, hosted Powell Center scholars for an Islanders-Carolina Hurricanes game at the Nassau Coliseum on January 21. General Colin Powell, who also attended, dropped the ceremonial first puck. He also praised Mr. Wang for his dedication to expanding hockey in China through Project Hope. The project, which Mr. Wang founded, is a scholarship, sportsmanship and cultural-exchange initiative that provides young Chinese athletes with an opportunity to study in the United States.

Powell Center scholars watched the excitement from the owner's box, along with General Powell and Mr. Wang. "Visiting the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum and spending time with the owner, Charles Wang, and General Powell was a phenomenally inspiring and memorable experience for many reasons," said New York Life Fellow Kanene Holder (pictured right). "Due to their gracious hospitality and the education I received about the importance and meaning of hockey, I am a convert! Hockey is 'the bomb.'"

Meeting Mr. Charles Wang was also enlightening, Ms. Holder noted, because of his business background. "He is the founder of Computer Associates and author of books on the utility of technology in business," she says. "He operates the Islanders as a way of vitalizing the surrounding economy. Hockey is a family affair, and the team's presence is an anchor in many families' lives."

The Powell Center scholars recalled that Mr. Wang and General Powell took the time to explore each scholar's policy interests and plans. Colin Powell Scholar Xavier Martinez described his research internship with the Vera Institute of Justice. Mr. Martinez is researching the degree to which race plays a factor in the treatment of suspects and looking at this process in prisons in Honduras.

Student Tiffany O'Neal (pictured left) summed up the evening: "Because of this experience, I'm a hockey fan for life."

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