116th Business School Graduation Ceremony

- Representative commencement speech by Dong kyu Jung (Business ‘18)

 Good afternoon everyone, My name is Dong kyu Jung from the KUBS class of 2018, graduating with all of you who are gathered here today. I could recall my freshman year as I walked on campus today, a late February day with the chilly winds of winter meeting the warm breezes of spring. I reminisce the day of freshman orientation, dance club performances at the Business School greenspace, and drinking Makgeolli with classmates at the central square on one beautiful day. All of these memories coming to my mind, I remember how overjoyed I was to receive the acceptance letter from KUBS.

“The mighty power of “together” will realize all of our dreams.” This sentence I saw from a promotional video was the greatest reason I wanted to come to Korea University. It seemed as if the word “together” embodied the reason why hundreds of thousands of voices were singing as one, people dancing as one to a song at the Korea-Yonsei games. After spending three years at KUBS, I grew used to being “together,” and now I might understand its meaning as well. Debating “together” with classmates, working on team projects, and cheering side-by-side, I could learn about the lives of different people and each of the values it carries. From the lectures and the conversations with professors, I could also learn valuable knowledge, wisdom, and sometimes, ways of living. Living amongst you, my fellow classmates at KUBS, I could feel so many things that I couldn’t possibly have felt on my own. I am sure that you too, felt the same way. So at this moment, as I stand here for our graduation ceremony, I look back to realize that my time at KUBS taught me about the mighty power of “together,” which I feel more grateful for having been able to spend with you.

Now, once this graduation ceremony comes to an end, we must find each of our answers to the question of “what do I want to do, and how do I want to live my life?” Perhaps until now, we have raced to reach a single goal of graduation, but from now on, every choice we make and every step we take will come together to create a path to our dream and happiness. From all of you gathered here today, I assume some might have found the answers to that question, while some may still be searching for the answer. However, I trust that in the end, all the difficult times we have to face will become a sturdy pillar that holds up oneself. And that if those pillars gather, with never-breaking minds, to pave their own ways, they will gather to become the “eternal heartbeat of the nation.” For this reason, I hope that the memories we shared at the KUBS could be like a home for the heart, a place of rest whenever we are wearied while walking down the road of life. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the professors who made it possible for me to be here today, to my senior colleagues in the alumni association, to my parents, grandparents, uncle, and family. I hope that dreams, good health, and happiness are in our future. Thank you.