Kevin Xu Receives Honorary Doctorate and Delivers Commencement Address at Cal State LA

2025年-05月-21日 来源:MEBO

Photo: Kevin Xu is hooded by Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, right, and Provost Heather Lattimer during Cal State LA's fourth Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, at the Shrine Auditorium. Cal State LA conferred an honorary doctor of Humane Letters on the biotech leader and philanthropist. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LA).

 

On May 20, 2025, Kevin Xu, Chairman of the Board of MEBO Group, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in recognition of his transformative contributions to education, healthcare, and international public service. The degree was conferred by President Berenecea Johnson Eanes during the university’s largest-ever commencement ceremony held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Xu also delivered the keynote address to more than 5,500 graduates and their families.

Cal State LA praised Xu for his far-reaching philanthropic impact:

“Recognized for his transformative contributions to education and health”, “Xu’s generosity and vision have been instrumental in shaping the present and future of Cal State LA. His significant gift led to the establishment of the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, honoring the memory of his late father who was an expert in regenerative medicine. The state-of-the-art Rongxiang Xu Bioscience Innovation Center is a testament to his commitment to advancing scientific research and education. His establishment of the Xu International Scholars Exchange Program has provided invaluable opportunities for Cal State LA students to broaden their horizons and gain global perspectives in healthcare. ” 

“His philanthropic efforts extend beyond Cal State LA, contributing to institutions in the United States and China and advancing healthcare through his innovative work in regenerative medicine,” said Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes.

(Source: Cal State LA official website)

In his commencement speech, Xu shared the philosophy that has guided his work and life:

“My father often said, ‘To regenerate life is to believe in the future.’ I believe in yours,” Xu said. “And I’m reminded of a saying from his hometown in China: ‘A single tree does not make a forest; a single string cannot play a symphony.’ Your greatest strength will not only come from your own talents but from the communities you engage—and the partnerships you forge. It is through collaboration and shared purpose that we achieve lasting impact.”

He added, “This honorary Doctor of Humane Letters is not a destination—it is a reminder. A reminder to keep learning, keep building, and keep lifting others with you. It affirms the values that have guided my journey: that science must serve humanity, that education must empower the next generation, and that partnership is essential to solving societal challenges.”

Xu was one of three honorary degree recipients at Cal State LA this year, joining actor and AAPI advocate Ken Jeong and internationally acclaimed comedian Jo Koy, who were each awarded a Doctor of Fine Arts in separate ceremonies.

The honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree is one of the highest accolades conferred by institutions of higher learning worldwide, reserved for individuals whose work embodies cross-disciplinary impact and a commitment to advancing the public good. Recipients of this honor have included civil rights icon Maya Angelou, anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio. Though each university sets its own criteria, the spirit of the degree lies in recognizing those whose actions help reshape the global human community.

As a lifelong advocate for science, education, and international collaboration, Kevin Xu exemplifies the essence of this distinction. His message of shared responsibility and global citizenship resonated deeply with the Class of 2025—an enduring reminder of the transformative power of innovation, generosity, and vision.

 

For more information, please visit:

https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/05/20/cal-state-la-confers-honorary-doctor-of-humane-letters-on-philanthropist-biotech-innovator-kevin-xu/

https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/05/12/cal-state-la-ken-jeong-jo-koy-kevin-xu-honorary-doctorates-commencement-2025/

 


 

About MEBO

Founded in 1987 by Professor Rongxiang Xu, a distinguished Chinese life scientist, MEBO Group is a multinational headquartered in both China and the USA. It integrates research, development, and sales across the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health foods, and cosmetics sectors.

At its core, MEBO focuses on regenerative life sciences, innovating with over 100 patents and more than ten joint research bases to enhance and enable the body's own regenerative abilities.

As a leader in regenerative life science, MEBO's extensive research facilities and products impact over 100 countries globally, pioneering new frontiers in the regenerative life world.