Approximately three hundred faculty and students of SNU gathered together at the University Cultural Center (Bldg. 73) to commemorate the school’s 65th anniversary on October 14.

SNU President OH Yeon-Cheon, in his speech, said that"the fundamental role of universities, that is, suggesting a correct path in life and fostering academic excellence, should not be compromised by the unclear and confusing circumstances we now face."

President Oh especially emphasized the concept of justice and fairness, adding that students should be offered curriculums which teach them more than just what seems good on the outside."An individual armed with a global mindset and the ability to sympathize with the underprivileged" was the type of person he expected to see at SNU. Oh also did not forget to remind SNU members that the task of making SNU assume a more central role worldwide was yet to be fulfilled.

During the ceremony, 4 SNU alumni -- Mr. GONG Roh Myung (president of the Sejong Foundation), Mr. KIM In Kwon (director of the Wilson Leprosy Center and Rehabilitation Hospital), Mr. MIN Kye Sik (chair of Hyundai Heavy Industries), and Ms. LEE In Ho (SNU professor emeritus) -- were spotlighted as recipients of this year's Pride of SNU Alumni Award. Since 1999 the Award has been given out annually to graduates of SNU who are renowned for having contributed to the development of Korea with honorable personalities.

Mr. Gong graduated from SNU's College of Law and is now widely appreciated for his remarkable activities advancing the international relations of Korea. Having worked as a public official since 1958, Gong's previous posts include minister of foreign affairs, ambassador to Russia, ambassador to Japan, and professor at Dongguk University. He especially proved himself a competent figure during his post as the minister of foreign affairs when Korea was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (only 4 years after accession to the UN) and held the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit in 2002.

Mr. Kim graduated from SNU’s College of Medicine and is dedicating himself to curing physically challenged patients and those with leprosy. Kim took up his post as director of the Wilson Leprosy Center and Rehabilitation Hospital (Yeosu, Jeollanam-do), which is the first institution in Korea established for leprosy patients, in 1983 and has made continuous efforts to advance the treatment of incurable diseases. He also showed an exemplary spirit of philanthropy by visiting countries such as China, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Myanmar for medical volunteer work since 1999. Kim has received many national awards and a medal in recognition of his contribution.

Mr. Min graduated from SNU's Department of Naval Architecture and has spent more than 40 years in the shipbuilding industry. Min acquired his doctoral degree in Ocean Engineering at MIT in 1987 and in 1990 joined Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is now the leading company in the field. Marked as an indispensable figure in enabling Korea to stand as the number one country in shipbuilding, Min has received numerous awards both as a scientist and a CEO.

Professor Lee received her doctoral degree in History from Harvard University in 1967. She was the first female figure in Korea to achieve such accomplishments and held her professorship in SNU's Department of Western History from 1979 to 1996. Lee was, again, the first female ambassador to Finland and Russia and played a critical role in strengthening Korea’s international relationships with the northern European countries. Having served as president of the Korea Foundation, Professor Lee received many accolades including an honorary doctoral degree from the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and a national medal.

During the ceremony awards were also given out to students in recognition of their volunteer work. Mr. SUNG Jung Mo (Department of Social Welfare), Mr. PARK Kyung Hun (College of Business Administration), Mr. LEE Kwang Ho (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), Mr. KIM Jin Soo (School of Chemical and Biological Engineering), and Ms. KIM Eun Hee (College of Law) received the Gwanak Volunteer Award and Mr. KIM Kyung Won (Department of Economics),

Ms. Yoo Areum (College of Nursing), Mr. KIM Yoon Ho (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), and Mr. MOON Joo Yong (School of Chemical and Biological Engineering) were selected as winners in the contest of essays on volunteer work experiences.

Written by LEE Ye Ha, SNU English Editor, gabrielle@snu.ac.kr ?
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com