The Past and Present of Kyonggi University
최민섭 수습기자 2024-11-15 14:00:44
Do you know what happens on November 8th? It is the 77th anniversary of Kyonggi University's establishment. Pharos has prepared time for looking back at the school's past and present. The start of Kyonggi University was when Choyang Nursery Academy was founded on November 8, 1946. Choyang Nursery Academy was a school that taught children in Jongno, Seoul. This school was open to anyone, teaching from kindergarten children to university students after the independence of Korea. Son Sang-gyo, the founder of Choyang Nursery Academy, took over Hacho Academy and built Kyonggi Academy in 1957. Then, it was promoted to a regular university and established as Kyonggi University in 1963. After that, the Suwon campus was built in 1979. Thanks to the many people who led Kyonggi University, our school has had many talented alumni, especially in arts and sports. One of the most well-known men is Lee Yong-dae. He won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is from the Department of Business. Also, Jeon Ki-young who was an Atlanta Olympic Judo Gold Medalist and achieved the Grand Slam is from the College of Physical Education. In addition, Yoo Seung-min, a table tennis gold medalist, is also from Kyonggi University. Kim Kook-jin, a comedian and broadcaster, is from the Department of English Language and Literature. Kim Young-chul, an actor who appears in many famous dramas, has a degree from the Department of Business. Additionally, the actor Cha Tae-hyun is also from Kyonggi University. Though Kyonggi University was promoted to a general university, has produced several celebrities, and is expected to gain more prestige, there are also dark aspects in Kyonggi University’s history. This was when a man called Son Jong-guk was appointed as a president. He served three consecutive terms for 11 years from 1993 to 2004. However, when he was the president, the secret was revealed that he committed private school corruption such as embezzlement, illegal transfers, and unfair professor appointments. Accordingly, students started a foundation to demand his resignation, but he suppressed it by force using the athletic club. In this process, something tragic happened. Oh Won-taek who was the vice president of the Seoul campus student council got hit in the face by a baseball bat. He had surgery and joined the military after treatment. However, he died mysteriously in the military. Mr. Son was later arrested in 2004 and completely left Kyonggi University in 2021. Former President Son Jong-guk has completely left, but there is homework for Kyonggi University to solve. As former President Song Jong-guk was arrested in 2004, the Ministry of Education's inspection was conducted and a temporary director was installed, which still remains the same 20 years later. The problems of unstable finances and opacity of school management still remain to this day. The effort to solve these issues at Kyonggi University continues even now. Students consistently demanded normalization of incorporation from the Ministry of Education. As a result, it was decided on September 30th that Kyonggi University will be normally incorporated. This is the result of a long effort.
There were 18,888 students and 806 professors in the university last year. This means that Kyonggi University has grown to be one of the largest universities in the country. In addition, the normalization of incorporation has been eagerly achieved after 20 years of effort. Students must not forget that all of the former students' efforts aided in the process of all this growth and development.
81st Cub Reporter • CHOI MIN SEOP • choi2005120@gmail.com
81st Cub Reporter • CHOI MIN SEOP • choi2005120@gmail.com
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