1949, Mr. David Au was elected as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of China.

In the foundational journey of Chung Chi College, Mr. David Au Wai Kwok (1899-1959) was undoubtedly one of the irreplaceable pioneers. Born in Sydney, Australia, Mr. Au was the son of Au Ben (1850-1921), a partner of the Sincere Department Store. Mr. Au spent his early years studying at St. Paul’s College in Hong Kong and St. John’s University in Shanghai. After graduation, he followed his father into business, holding important positions in various enterprises, such as Sincere Company, The Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank, and Butterfield and Swire and so on. In addition to his achievements in the business world, he was also passionate about charity. He served as the head of many community organisations, such as Chairman of the Board of St. John’s University in Shanghai, President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of F.& A. M. of China.

Realising a severe shortage of university vacancies in Hong Kong, Mr. Au joined hands with Bishop Ronald Owen Hall and Dr. Lee Ying Lin to found Chung Chi College in 1951. With his extensive connections across various sectors, he was elected as the interim and first Chairman of the Board of Governors to liaise with the Director of Education and raise resources for the College. During his tenure, Mr. Au sought government approval for the registration of Chung Chi College and arranged for classrooms to be borrowed from St. Paul's College (co-educational) for teaching purposes. He also appealed to overseas missions to send missionaries to teach in Chung Chi. Furthermore, Mr. Au secured generous funding from the China Christian Universities Association, based in London, and the United Board of Christian Colleges in China, based in New York, to subsidise Chung Chi’s operations.

As Dr. Lee passed away in 1954, Mr. Au became an acting President to manage school affairs. Under his management, the College gradually took shape and formed the foundation for future development. To commemorate Mr. Au’s contribution, his daughter, Mrs. Aida Au Hom, donated to the College to establish the “David Au Wai Kwok Memorial Scholarship”, rewarding outstanding students and extending the family’s care and support for the College.