“It is the sixth year this year to visit our alma mater together with alumni currently in Seoul since 2011. As always, I had a hard time going to bed over the thought of meeting our juniors. Remember that we are not here physically any longer, we are always rooting for YU and our juniors!”
YU Seoul Alumni Chairman Yoon Sang-hyun (66, Commercial Science '69, CEO of Ilshin Electronics) visited his alma mater YU with high expectations to meet his juniors.
At 12:30 p.m. on the last Friday of April, Mr. Yoon Sang-hyun and other 'power leaders' leading Korea gathered at YU. Over 100 alumni working in various parts of society took time out from their busy schedules and took buses to go on a four hour ride to visit their alma mater. This is a scene that cannot be seen in any other university of Korea. This homecoming day event has continued for the sixth year already.
Former Minister of Health and Welfare Jeon Jae-hee (66, Public Administration '68), Yuhan Corporation CEO Lee Jung-hee (64, English and English Literature '71), Kunil Engineering CEO Sohn Il-soo (59, Civil Engineering '75), Chungmu Law Firm Main Attorney Seo Young-deuk (57, Law '78), Ecopro CEO Lee Dong-chae (56, Business Administration '78), Movide Director Cho Jin-gyu (55, Painting '80), Korean Olympic Football Head Coach Shin Tae-yong (45, Physical Education '88), and others in politics, finance, culture, and sports all gathered together.
YU prepared a welcoming event and luncheon for the alumni who took time from their busy schedules, and YU President Noh Seok-kyun, appointed professors, and the president of the student body stated their appreciation.
When Mr. Yoon Sang-hyun said in his greeting speech, "The alumni who gathered here today will share all of the knowledge and experiences we gained to our juniors." YU President Noh Seok-kyun then replied, "Our senior alumni's interest for our school and love for juniors are of great help to the development of our school. I trust that your juniors will follow your examples and become leaders of Korea."
Student body president Kwang Byung-chul (28, School of Materials Science and Engineering, senior) gave Mr. Yoon Sang-hyun flowers to welcome him on behalf of the students, while saying, "We are very proud of the fact that our seniors are active as leaders in different part of society." He added, "Even now, your juniors including myself are working hard to fulfill our role in society. We will do our best to continue your legacies."
After the welcoming luncheon, a 'Talk Concert' with juniors was held at the Cheonma Art Center from 2:30 p.m. Students filled up the 500 seat Chamber Hall to listen to the experiences and advice of their seniors. The talk concert, which was emceed by Attorney Seo Young-deuk, was joined by Former Minister Jeon Jae-hee, Yuhan Corporation CEO Lee Jung-hee, Ecopro CEO Lee Dong-chae, Movie Director Cho Jin-gyu, Coach Shin Tae-yong, Misil Farm CEO Shin Sang-bo (Chinese and Chinese Literature, '92), Fill Architecture CEO Lee Sang-hyun (Architecture, '79), and Korean Intellectual Property Office Judge Jung Da-won (Pharmacy, '83).
<Alumni from Seoul holding talk concert with juniors>
Former Minister Jeon Jae-hee said, "Together with the title of being the first woman in Korea to pass the public administration examination, I have walked the path of a minority and came to where I am today. In order for the few to lead the majority, great efforts are needed. This is a beautiful thing." She added, "You should also not be afraid of taking the path of the minority."
Olympic Head Coach Shin Tae-yong said, "I became the first to graduate from a university outside of Seoul to become the head coach of the Olympic team. I don't think there are limitations just because of the region of your university. I achieved many things, but now I am racing toward another goal to become the head coach of the World Cup Team." He added, "If you trust in yourself and use your energy, you will be able to achieve your goals."
After the talk concert, dialogues between alumni and students continued in meetings by departments, and the alumni gave their advice and encouragement as social leaders and senior alumni.
