“Preserve the moments of pursuing dreams through hardships”… Completion of the Scholarship Certificate Award Ceremony for the 2024 Spring Semester

The scholarship certificate award ceremony for the 2024 Spring Semester at Korea University Business School(Dean=Sangyong Kim) was successfully held on May 23rd in the Ahn Young Il Hall of the LG-POSCO Building. Notable guests included Kwangsoo Seo, auditor of the Cheongpyeong Market Management Committee, Professor Jongseok Bae of KUBS, Sungil Yang, executive director of KCC Corporation, Jungsoo Han, CEO of Yeondu Company, Professor Dongsub Lee of KUBS, and Dean Sangyong Kim. Approximately 60 scholarship students from the KUBS also participated. 

Before the ceremony began, Dean Sangyong Kim delivered a congratulatory message to the donors and scholarship recipients. He expressed deep gratitude for their willingness to participate despite their busy schedules, noting, "The scholarship award ceremony is a meaningful occasion where donors and students can meet face-to-face to share their hearts and experiences." He continued, "Ensuring that no student is unable to study due to financial difficulties is a top priority for Korea University Business School. The warm hearts and loving support of the donors provide a significant pillar of strength for students striving towards their goals under difficult circumstances." Moreover, he expressed hope that the event would serve as a great motivation for the students, adding, "I hope that in a few years, you will return to this place as supportive alumni, just like today's donors, to encourage your juniors." 

The Korea University Business School offers scholarships segmented into tuition scholarships, namely the △ KoKyeong Study Scholarship and living expenses under the △KUBS Dream Scholarship. This semester, the KoKyeong Study Scholarship was awarded to 82 students, with a total scholarship amount of 135,755,000 won. Meanwhile, the KUBS Dream Scholarship benefited 84 students, with funds totalling 209,600,000 won. 

The ceremony continued with the awarding of certificates to the donors. This semester featured various scholarships including the △Seo Kwangsoo Dream Scholarship, △Eun Min Dream Scholarship, △M&J Cultural Welfare Foundation Scholarship, △95 Dream Care Dream Scholarship, △Han Jungsoo Dream Scholarship, and 31 other awards, benefiting 166 students in total. Dean Sangyong Kim and the donors presented certificates to representative students and took commemorative photographs. 

After the ceremony, the donors and scholarship recipients shared expressions of gratitude and enjoyed a banquet. This was followed by speeches from the donors and a thank-you address from a representative of the scholarship recipients. Auditor Kwangsoo Seo advised the students, "While it's good to be grateful for receiving a scholarship, do not forget to carry it with dignity and pride." He further commented on the spirit of the young attendees, saying, "Seeing the passion and romance in all of you today, what else could this be if not a moment of great opportunity?" 

He continued his address by emphasizing resilience and self-esteem during challenging times: "In an era that demands relentless effort and focus towards our goals, it might be difficult to recognize that we are living in the prime of our lives. However, even if the present feels uncertain and daunting, never lose your dignity and pride." He further stressed the importance of preserving the sensation of achievement and enthusiasm obtained through overcoming hardships, "If you continue to cherish these moments of striving and achieving, they will become invaluable assets as you seek and seize opportunities for a better life in the future." He added, "We don't know exactly how our country will change, but by fostering a positive and generous mindset towards others, you will be able to look back on your life with satisfaction rather than regret." 

Professor Jongseok Bae offered this insight: "If you look down at the ground, you will see the sky and clouds, and through that mirror, you glimpse the unknown world. and advised that: “Don't wait for someone else to make our society a better place; we must live with the attitude that the people we are waiting for are ourselves."  

Next, a speech of gratitude was given by Hoseung Lee (Business 23’), the representative of the scholarship recipients. Lee began by expressing his gratitude on behalf of all the students to the donors: “First and foremost, on behalf of the students, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the sponsors.” Lee shared his personal journey: “I dreamed of becoming a soccer player until middle school and only started focusing on academics in the ninth grade. Initially, I did not feel any guilt or gratitude towards my parents for covering the costs of tutoring and other educational expenses. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my father, who worked for an airline company, was placed on unpaid leave, which significantly impacted our family's finances and made it difficult to manage tuition and living expenses.” 

Despite these challenges, Lee was able to concentrate on his studies and coursework thanks to the scholarship from Korea University Business School. He recounted, “Before receiving the scholarship, I had to juggle tutoring and part-time jobs during the winter vacation and the semester, which was physically and time-consuming, making it difficult to deeply consider my career path. However, with the scholarship support, I am now able to participate in a brand-consulting academic society, where I gain practical experience with companies and receive feedback from experts, enjoying the opportunity to grow alongside peers with similar career interests. I am truly grateful for this.” Lee concluded with his aspirations, inspired by the support he received: “Having felt a significant benefit from the scholarship, I am motivated to become someone who supports future students extensively.” 

The ceremony concluded with the attendees and award-givers jointly singing the KU song.