Hoyt Hsiao

Hoyt Hsiao pulls out a photo album and points to the five-year-old version of himself, sporting a broad smile as he stands with paintbrush in hand, helping his parents paint a welcome arch for the 1974 Aquatennial that was used as a symbolic bridge between Chinese and American culture in Minnesota. “Today, they would call this child labor,” he says, getting laughs from his father, Fred, and mother, Jennie.

The Hsiaos are gathered at the family’s contracting company, Shaw–Lundquist (Shaw being an Americanized version of the family’s last name), to be interviewed for the Minnesota Historical Society, which will feature the family’s story in an exhibit debuting next year.

“I couldn’t be prouder of them,” says Hoyt, who cites his parents’ involvement in the community as the reason he has risen to the top volunteer ranks in organizations such as Pillsbury United Communities, The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Kaposia, and the National Association of Minority Contractors, of which he is national secretary.

“I guess it just always seemed normal,” says Hoyt, who also has three brothers who are involved in the community. “I grew up watching my parents volunteer—I just thought that is what you did.”

Hoyt’s father came to the United States in 1945 to study at MIT, where he earned his master’s degree, then studied hydraulic engineering at the University of Minnesota. Fred got involved right away—as president of the Chinese Student Association and cofounder of the Chinese Christian Fellowship. When his pen pal and future wife, Jennie, came to the States in 1958, she and Fred continued to volunteer, becoming members of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota, US China People’s Friendship Association, and the Chinese Senior Citizen’s Society and founding the Chinese American Business Association of Minnesota. “It was important to help the Chinese community reach out to the non–Chinese community and help them understand each other,” Jennie says, adding, “and the example you set is better than talk.”

Hoyt’s spirit has garnered praise from those with whom he works. “He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty,” says Tony Wagner of Pillsbury United Communities, which provides social services to more than 35,000 Minnesotans each year. “He does more than talk, he rolls up his sleeves and works.”

“I am honored to be asked to serve on boards and help with organizations,” Hoyt says. “And to have such great role models.”