KOREA FOUNDATION’S CHALLENGE NEARLY MET

"The Center for Korean Studies was the first in the United States dedicated to the study of Korea. With the support of the Korea Foundation, it now offers the most versatile and diversified Korea-related course offerings and degree programs in the country, features the largest concentration of Korean scholars and resources outside of Korea and is the only Korean language flagship university."

In 1903, 102 Koreans emigrated to Hawaiʻi to work on the sugar plantations. Today, more than 42,000 Koreans call Hawaiʻi home. In 1972, CKS was established and within a few years began publishing Korean Studies, the first international multidisciplinary journal outside of Korea devoted to the study of Korea. In 1980, construction on the CKS facility on the UH Mānoa campus was completed with support from local donors, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and the Korean government.

One of their partners is the Korea Foundation with their mission to enhance the image of Korea in the world, and to promote academic and cultural exchange programs. Through their $1 million pledge to establish the Center for Korean Studies Rotating Chair Endowment, and the matching challenge this gift includes, they are helping to build this center of excellence. In late October, representatives of the Korea Foundation attended a ceremony to present the third installment of $250,000 toward the $1 million gift.

Through the generous support of Center for Korean Studies faculty, the Hawaiʻi community, alumni, and individuals and organizations in Korea, more than $600,000 has been raised toward the $1 million challenge match. When fully funded, the $2 million endowment will support a chair position at CKS which will rotate among Korea-themed disciplines such as anthropology, art history, religion and theatre/drama.

Attending the check presentation are, left to right, Virginia Hinshaw, UH Mānoa Chancellor; Edward Shultz, Interim Dean, School of Pacific & Asian Studies; Suh Ah-Jeong, Director of Korea Foundation, Washington DC office; Ho-Min Sohn, Director, Center for Korean Studies; Donna Vuchinich, President, UH Foundation; Park Kyoung-Chul, Director, Korean Studies Department, Korea Foundation; Kim Bong-Joo, Consul General, Republic of Korea.