Sookmyung’s Centennial in the Rain



‘The Centennial that touched the sky and made it cry’
In the rain, the centennial of Sookmyung Women’s University (SMU) was held at the Renaissance Plaza Square on May 22. The president of SMU, Kyungsook Lee, presidents of other universities, alumnae, professors and Sookmyungians attended the ceremony.

President Lee delivered the following commemoration remarks, “We organized the ceremony outdoors to treat alumnae well. You might feel some inconvenience because of the rain. But our trial might have made the sky cry,” and she showed her vision, “First, SMU will become the ‘world’s premier leadership university; second, SMU will grow as a ‘world renowned women’s health research university’; thirdly, SMU will construct the Dream Campus.” The chairman of the Board of Trustees, Young-The Lee and President of the SMU Alumnae Association, Janet C. Lee each delivered welcoming remark and congratulatory remarks.

The First Lady, Kwon Yang-suk sent a congratulatory message, “Jump up to the world with the gentle power to change the world.” Additionally, Un-Chan Chung (President of Seoul National University), Kun Goh (ex-Prime Minister), Kim Myung-gon (Minister of Culture and Tourism), Lars Vargo (Ambassador of the Embassy of Sweden), Yun Hyen-jin (Announcer), Jeong Eun-a (Broadcaster), and Sin Dong-yeop (Comedian) congratulated SMU on it’s centennial.

Before the main ceremony, the crane dance of SMU Korean dancers, a dance of the Yunnan Art College dancers form China, and a drum performance by the Jeong Jea-man dancers were performed. After the ceremony, a performance of the singing group, Clazziquai and the singer, BMK were held for Sookmyunginas.
　　　　
Before the ceremony, about 20 students of Korea University blocked the gate of the Renaissance Plaza and demonstrated against Yoon-Dea Euh, the president of Korea University.

Open Concert Held to Commemorate the SMU 100th Anniversary



Open Concert was held in the War Memorial of Korea at The War Memorial Plaza to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Sookmyung Women’s University (SMU) on May 16th. It was sponsored by the Office of External Affairs & Development.
SMU President Kyungsook Lee, professors, Sookmyungians and other visitors gathered at the War Memorial Plaza before the Open Concert started and a total of about seven thousand people crowded together there.
The concert began at 7:30 p.m., with a song that An, Chi Hwan and the Sookmyung Chorus sang. And then the concert progressed lead by announcer Kim, Kyung Ran. She gave her congratulations on the long history of 100 years since the founding of SMU.
In this concert, SG Wannabe, Jang Yoon-Jeong, El Diva that form Mun Hui-Kyung, Jung Yung-Ju, Yang Kkot-Nim and Kim Tae-Hui, REPLAY, Norazo, Bada, Lee Hyo-Lee, Song Deo-Kwan, Hun Cheol and Lee Eun-Mi participated and gave a wonderful performance.
After the Open Concert ended, Lee Eun-mi who appeared as the last performer held an encore performance at many peoples request. With that the Korea Broadcasting system (KBS) Open Concert successfully lowered the curtain.
The Open Concert was broadcast on May 21 at 5:35 p.m., on KBS 1TV.

President of Korea University, Yoon-Dae Euh, Visits SMU

The Institute for Global Leadership is holding a series of special lectures, inviting the president of each university in Korea in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of SMU's foundation. On March 20, Yonn-Dae Euh, the president of Korea University (KU), was the first guest lecturer who visited the Samsung Convention Center in SMU to give a lecture.
He expounded on university education for global leaders with the case of KU. He said, "You can live 100 years. So you should be a person ready with professional knowledge and acceptability to double-crop or triple crop." He explained prerequisites to be a leader; global communication, physical strength, professional knowledge, understanding other cultures. In particular, he emphasized physical strength to Sookmyungians, because women are weaker than men in general.
As KU had its centennial previously, he advised that SMU centennial policy also should aim for international competitive power, and should not be limited to extending the campus.

A Commemorative Lecture from the President of Yonsei



"This is a very important time for Korean economic growth. It is dominated by the social participation of well-educated women."
Jung Chang-young, the president of Yonsei University, delivered a special lecture as part of the series lectures to commemorate SMU's 100th anniversary of its foundation in the Samsung Convention Center on March 31.
Under the theme of his lecture, 'the vision of global woman leaders expected in the future,' he said that leaders can make cohesion based on confidence. To be a leader, he emphasized to be a woman who is faithful to immutable moral codes and to be responsive to all times and places. And then by mentioning that little drops of water make the mighty ocean, he emphasized the importance of making a plan concretely and having great vision with a diligent, faithful attitude from day to day.

The President of Handong University Visits SMU



Kim, Yung-gil who is the president of Handong University gave a lecture about Global Leadership in the Samsung Convention Center of Centennial Hall on April 13. The lecture was sponsored by Sookmyung Institute for Global Leadership to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sookmyung's founding.
He emphasized 'The Importance of Education' and said that we have to make a good life through education. He said there are three major factors of a leader; Global Communication, Global Character (honestly) and Global Professional Ability. And then, he insisted that Korean education should be modeled on wisdom education which means to make new thing, divide and judge something through teamwork.
Finally, he said, "Have a great ambition. You should have ambition related not only to Korea, but also the world."

Her 100th Birthday Party: Chung-pa Festival



From May 24 to 26, Sookmyung Women's University (SMU)'s semester festival, Chung-pa-je was held. It was separated into 3 parts; Ready to Jump Up, To Be One, and Jump. Like every year, daily pubs were opened at night.
On the first day of the festival, the Cheong-pa Marathon Race was held and it was a signal of the start of the festival. For the second day, SMU's cheering group NiViS held their cheering party, and the singer Lee Seung-gi visited the party. On the third day, the last day of the festival, the singing group Noeul was invited to congratulate all Sookmyungians on the festival. In addition, during the festival, there were various events and activities. Kim Hunny majoring in the Division of Communication said, "This year's festival is so interesting and various because it is linked with centennial programs, and I feel as if this year's festival were longer."
However, some students uploaded complaints on the Internet website's free board. One student blamed some students who run daily pubs, because they forced them to sell their things. Also there were daily pubs' tents and company's promotion boots on the road so tightly that students had difficulty passing by. Park, Yuri said, "the road was so narrow that I couldn't walk. As a result, I was late for class."

A Sookmyung Debating Meeting for the 100th Anniversary of SMU



The To Si Rak team from Sookmyung Women's University (SMU) won the Sookmyung Debating Meeting on May 16, against the Yi Gam team from Kyunghui University.
The debate was held in Emmanuel Hall of Renaissance Plaza and was sponsored by Communication Development Center of SMU.
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of SMU, the scope of the Sookmyung Debating Meeting was extended to the national scale. As a result, a total of 169 teams from 41 universities took part in the Sookmyung Debating Meeting.
Finally, the To Si Rak team composed of Park Sang Mi, Park Bo Ram and An U Hwa and the Yi Gam team made of Park Jeon Ja, Seo Ji Hui and Sin Su Jung went to the finals. There, they debated about the topic "private education should place responsibility on a persons choice or not."
Before the debate, the President of SMU, Kyung Sook Lee, said, "A debate is a training process. And I hope the debate culture of Sookmyung which has spread as a university culture, moreover, becomes a national culture."
The To Si Rak team asserted that people have the right of receiving an education and freedom of choice. In addition, they insisted that private education offers a variety of education services and that it fosters diverse members. On the other side, Yi Gam team insisted that private education causes an inequality in education and deepens the inequality between social stratums.
The debate used the way of Karl Popper and continued for about 70 minutes.
At 5 o'clock, a ceremony for awarding prizes was begun. The chairman of the awarding committee, Lee Myung Hyun who is the ex-minister of Education & Human Resources Development said, "It's too hard because both teams are very great. However, we gave a higher score to the To Si Rak team. Finally, the To Si Rak was awarded the top prize and the Yi Gam team got the gold prize.

Sookmyung Worldwide through the Global Leadership Forum



On May 22, a global leadership forum was held in the Samsung Convention Center. In this forum to commemorate SMU centennial anniversary, the presidents of 16 universities from 10 countries participated in the event.
With an explanation of SMU's achievements and Sookmyung leadership in President Kyungsook Lee's keynote speech, the forum opened in earnest. And then, introducing their own their leadership education, the presidents of each university who came from USA, China, Japan, and so on shared their materials for leadership.
Additionally, time was set aside for a discussion, under the theme "How to develop leadership education in higher education institutes in the 21st Century?"
On May 23, there were additional special lectures on leadership given by the presidents of overseas universities. And there were presentations on the exchange program of the University of Woolongong and a conference about dual degree programs.

Play the Magic Flute in Sookmyung



From May 15 to 16, the Opera, Magic Flute was played in the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) Hall to commemorate SMU 100th foundation anniversary under the charge of College of Music.
The Magic Flute is an opera by W.A. Mozart in which the hero, Tamino, undergoing trials on the way to look for his love Pamina, finds truth and love. It is familiar for its arias such as Queen of the Night.
In two days, under the conduction of Kim Kyung Hee and production of Choi Ji-Hyung, as the leading actors cast in double, this opera presented in two colors.
President Kyungsook Lee mentioned in her congratulatory address that just as the Magic Flute gives us a message about finding love and hope after overcoming hardships, she expects that Sookmyung will play a role of shedding light on the path which lays wishes on Sookmyung both from before and after.

Welcome to the World Womne's literature Center



The Sookmyung Women's University Library changed its clothes on May 8. Renovations which took one year and a half were completed and the World Women's Literature Center was opened. Especially, in commemoration of them, the World Women's Literature Center exhibited "Spirit of Literature, Light of Literary Women- Exhibition of Korea Literature Women in 100 years." It showed photographs of 100 Korea women writers who took the rostrum after 1906, their profiles, and phrases from their masterpieces.
Appreciating all the people who spared no pains to renovate the library, Director Chun Sil, Lee said, "Not only as a research institution but also a cultural facility, the library should try to become more than that."
President Kyungsook Lee gave her congratulations, "When I was inaugurated, the library had a hole in the ceiling from a water leak. I was heartbroken and anxious as I saw it. Therefore, I decided rebuild it very well. Above all, since this time, I could keep my promise, I'm really very happy. And then, it will play a role to be a vehicle which converts the meaning of a library into a comfortable and delightful space."
Especially, in this time, participating writers such as Kim Nam Jo and Park Wan Seo, enhanced its prestige.

A Toast for SMU's 100th Anniversary with VIPs



A VIP reception was held for Sookmyung's centennial a few days in advance of the day at the Millennium Seoul Hilton. On May 20, many special guests gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary in the Kukhwa room on Saturday night; deans and professors of Sookmyung Women's University (SMU) and presidents of sister universities. This event was conducted entirely in English to accommodate presidents of sister universities abroad.
The Ritsumeikan University President delivered the congratulatory address. He said, "I offer you my hearty congratulations SMU on your 100th anniversary." And he spoke Korean. It was so unskilled, however, that he moved the audience to laughter. SMU President Kyungsook Lee said at this event, "Sookmyung has 100 years ahead. These 100 years of SMU will be an important point which brings us to the greatest Leadership University in the world." Also, she asked the VIPs who gathered in the place to take care of SMU´s future affairs. Finally, everyone drank toasts with the 'Sookmyung 100th medicinal wine,' praying for the development of SMU. And the reception wrapped up with congratulatory song from Prof. Yang Ki young (Department of Vocal Music).

The 4th Cheong-pa Marathon Race



On May 24, the Cheong-pa Marathon Race started at Sookmyung Women's University (SMU) with the opening of the Cheong-pa Festival, Sinmyeong. This marathon race was held for the 4th time and sponsored by the SMU Student Government, Doyak. Sookmyungians, the staff members of SMU, professors and residents all participated in the marathon race.
Kyungsook Lee, the President of SMU, also participated in the marathon race wearing sportswear. She said, "One of leadership's requirements is a healthy mind and body. I hope you train your body and mind through this marathon race. Hwang Yung-jo, who is the manager of the Seoul Olympic Sports Promotion Foundation (SOSFO), also took part in the marathon race.
After the President Lee's speech, all participator danced the 'Kkok-ji-jeom (the angular point) Dance' with music. Following this, the participants moved to the front gate, and they started running after the gun shot.
The total distance of the marathon race is 4.2 to 5km, and the course follows the path specified here, from the front gate of SMU - the Yongsan Police Office - the Yongsan-Gu Office - the Hyochang Park Station - the Yongmaru Uphill - the Gongdeokdong Rotary - the Manridong Uphill - the HanKyoreh Newspaper Publishing Company - the West Building entrance - the front gate of SMU.
After finishing the race, the Doyak held a ceremony for awarding prizes in front of the Queen Sunheon Building. Among the male competitors, Son Yeong-bu a staff member of Maintenance Services received first prize, Lee Bong-o a resident second prize, and Lee Myeong-suk who is the professor of the Division of Human Ecology 3rd prize. For the female competitors, first, second, third prize each was received by Song A-ram, Lee Kyeong-sun, and Yu Jin-sil all of the Department of Physical Education. Finally, regarding teams, Kim Cheol-su's team and Jo Jeong-yeol's team each received first and second prize.

Sookmyungians Gain Employment Insight with the Career Fair



The SMU Career Development Center organized the 2006 Sookmyung Career Fair in May 24. The career fair was held at Renaissance Plaza Square. Twenty firms including the CJ Group, Industrial Bank of Korea, HSBC, Kyobo Life, and AEKYUNG gathered to help all Sookmyungians who want to get jobs.
Park Han hee, an officer at NOLBOO (Korean food franchise restaurant), said, "Sookmyungians have a positive attitude. But some students who are still young like freshman or sophomores are unfamiliar with the real employment market. They need to be more interested in their future job." Many executives including Mr. Park gave tips on handling job interviews and writing a good resume.
This fair was divided into three parts; job appointments, job consulting, and job information. Sookmyungians could get information about interviewing, photographing, making up, as well as studying for humanities and aptitude tests.
Lee Min-a, senior in Division of Economics, said, "I thought I would get a job easily because I did not know the real employment situation. My vague fear crystallized into reality here."

Let Sookmyungians' Leadership Grow Up



From April 27 to 28, after the mid-term exam week, SMU held its second Leadership Week, but it was not similar to last year's leadership festival. Comparing last year and this year, this year's festival was limited not only to students' clubs but included each major department. There were various events planned for this festival, such as seminars, special lectures, out-of-field trips, and so on.
Popular or prominent lecturers visited SMU to give special lectures. Park, Young Sun who is an Assemblywoman of the ruling party, the Uri Party, told her story to Sookmyungians in the Immanuel Hall. She said, "I'm now telling you my story. I'd like that you would change your life through my lecture, and I wish my lecture gives you some tips to raise your leadership abilities." Her talk was sponsored by the Division of Economics but all students were invited to participate in the lecture. Kim, Yong Bae who is the president of Seoul Arts Center also delivered a special lecture to College of Music Students. He insisted that, "As more time goes by, the arts, especially music will be focused on more because it can heal mental disease instead of medicine." And other departments' lecturers tried to lend their voices to SMU.
The Division of Communication, College of Art, College of Science, and other major department students went out on field trips to raise their leadership skills in their major area. They listened to their seniors' lectures and made a road-map to becoming a leader with professors' help. One of the participants Lee Se-ok said, "The leadership workshop gave me a chance to meet professors, seniors, and juniors more."