In 2009, the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy was established through a generous endowment from the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation. The Center is named in honor of John Sie's father, Ambassador Sié Chéou-Kang. Ambassador Sié Chéou-Kang was an extraordinary diplomat, educator, author and playwright, and spent much of his adult life in Europe forging relationships on behalf of China.
Since its establishment, the Sié Chéou-Kang Center has offered students at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies new resources for studying global security, policy and diplomacy issues. Among its many programs, the Center provides leadership training for Sié Fellows—the best and brightest master's degree-seeking students from across the globe who choose to pursue a professional education in international affairs at the Korbel School. Sié Fellows focus their advanced studies on international security and diplomacy, as well as related subjects such as history, economics and human rights.
The Sié Center is located in a new annex to the Korbel School of International Studies, dedicated on 7 August 2009. More than 200 people attended the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony where speakers highlighted the Center's importance. As succinctly put by DU Chancellor Coombe at the dedication, "The University of Denver has made a commitment to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies to cultivate the best international programs for students and diplomats. The gift that Anna and John J. Sie have provided is a tremendous contribution to this effort. We are grateful for their generous gift and leadership."