SMWU Deepens Global Alumni Ties Through 120th Anniversary Visits to Canada and the U.S.
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-08-07
A Sookmyung Women's University delegation led by President Si-yeun Moon visited Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Francisco from July 23 to Aug. 3, meeting with representatives of overseas alumni chapters to mark the university's 120th anniversary.
The visit focused on strengthening ties with overseas alumni, expanding the university's development fund network and establishing a global cooperation network centered on its international alumni chapters. President Moon was joined by Hyung-jin Lee, Dean of External Affairs & Communication; Woon-a Song, Director of the Fundraising & Development Team; and Jin-hee Lee, Chief Secretary.
On July 25, the delegation met with about 30 alumni at a gathering hosted by the Vancouver chapter, which is led by chapter president Yu-mi Kim (Food and Nutrition '83). Alumna Yun-ja Choi (Pharmacy '63) was also among the attendees. It was the first visit by a Sookmyung president to the Vancouver chapter since 2013. President Moon presented Kim with a plaque of appreciation for her contributions to the chapter's growth and alumni unity.
"Every alumna making her mark around the world is a source of pride for Sookmyung," President Moon said. "I am deeply grateful for the dedication and enduring love our alumnae have shown in shaping Sookmyung's 120-year history."
Kim said the visit was "deeply meaningful," adding that "the Vancouver chapter will continue to serve as a strong bridge connecting the university with alumni abroad."
(From left) Yu-mi Kim, President of the Vancouver Chapter; SMWU President Si-yeun Moon
On July 27, the Southern California chapter, led by chapter president Eun-ju Park (Food and Nutrition '79), hosted a gathering in Los Angeles. With about 500 active members, the Southern California chapter is one of the university's largest and most active overseas alumni chapters and plays a key role in strengthening its global alumni network. About 60 alumnae attended, including Chun-hee Jung, chair of the Sookmyung Development Committee (English Language and Literature '62), and Hyun-soon Lee, chair of the Sookmyung Global Scholarship Foundation, or SMAIF (Political Science and International Relations '79).
President Moon presented a plaque of appreciation to Park for her contributions to alumni unity and chapter development, and a special achievement award to Lee for her leadership of SMAIF's global scholarship initiatives and support for the university.
"Our 120th anniversary reflects a history shaped together with Sookmyung women making a difference not only in Korea but around the world," President Moon said. "The dedication of our overseas alumni, including the Southern California chapter, has shaped who Sookmyung is today, and I hope they will continue to be at the heart of our global community."
Park thanked President Moon's delegation for the visit and pledged that the chapter would continue serving as a link between the U.S. alumni community and the university. Soon-ho Song, chairman of the chapter's board (Vocal Music '79), said, "Though we live far away in the United States, Sookmyung will always be our spiritual home. The president's visit made us feel much closer to our alma mater."
(From left) Eun-ju Park, President of the Southern California Chapter; SMWU President Si-yeun Moon.
(From left) Hyun-soon Lee, Chair of the SMAIF Board of Directors; SMWU President Si-yeun Moon.
Dean Lee also introduced the university's 120th anniversary commemorative initiatives and its mid- and long-term development plan. Attendees also watched footage from 120th anniversary concert and eve celebration held in May, looking back on the university's achievements and progress.
President Moon's delegation also met separately with SMAIF Chair Hyun-soon Lee, chapter president Eun-ju Park and auditor Yu-gyeong An to discuss expanding global scholarship programs, strengthening the development fund, advancing the U.S. alumni association and engaging the next generation of alumni.
(From left) Chairman Kun-soo Lee, Sookmyung Development Committee Chairperson Chun-hee Chung, and SMWU President Si-yeun Moon.
Ahead of the Los Angeles gathering, Chun-hee Jung, chair of the Sookmyung Development Committee, hosted a welcome event for President Moon's delegation, where participants shared progress on the 120th anniversary initiatives and discussed ways to strengthen exchanges among overseas chapters, expand fundraising and build the global alumni network. "We are grateful to our overseas alumnae for helping build our 120th anniversary together," Jung said. "I hope our overseas chapters will continue to serve as a bridge between the university and its alumni, and as partners in Sookmyung's growth."
On Aug. 1, the delegation held a "Young Leaders' Forum" in San Francisco with alumnae working in Silicon Valley. Vice chapter president Im-ju Byun and next-generation alumnae working at companies including Google, AWS, Lam Research, SK hynix America and Kaiser Permanente attended the forum to discuss talent development and ways to strengthen the alumni network. Gyu-bin Hwang, SMAIF chair Hyun-soon Lee, chapter president Eun-ju Park and auditor Yu-gyeong An also joined to connect with younger alumnae.
"Sookmyung's future is shaped together with alumnae creating new value around the world," President Moon said. "We will continue expanding our global Sookmyung community alongside the next generation of alumni."
During the Canada and U.S. visits, overseas alumnae donated approximately $20,000 to the university's development fund through the Sookmyung Global Scholarship Foundation.