Hunter College mourns the death of Peter Kwong, Distinguished Professor of Urban Policy and Planning and Professor of Asian Studies. Professor Kwong, whose career spanned the fields of scholarship, journalism, and film, was a pioneering force in the field of Asian American studies and a passionate advocate for social justice. He was responsible for twice arranging a visit from the Dalai Lama to Hunter College.

Among his many well-received books are “Chinese America,” co-authored with his wife Dusanka Miscevic, and “The New Chinatown,” where he challenged the notion that Asians are a model minority and documented widespread poverty and exploitation within the immigrant community. His “Village Voice” articles on Chinese drug syndicates and race riots in Los Angeles were respectively nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1990 and 1992. His documentary film, “China’s Unnatural Disaster,” co-produced with Jon Alpert, was nominated for an Academy Award in 2010. His 1980 film, “Third Avenue” was awarded an Emmy.

Peter was greatly admired and will be profoundly missed by the Hunter College community. A memorial service celebrating his extraordinary life and accomplishments will be held at Hunter College in the spring.