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February 2015 Commencement Address 2015.02.23

February 23, 2015
 
 I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all honored guests who have joined us to grace today’s commencement ceremony. Above all, my heartiest congratulations are sent out to the 4,180 graduating students receiving their undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees today. I would also like to offer my congratulations and gratitude to the parents and family members who have been supporting their children with much devotion for many years. Please also accept my sincere gratitude sent to Honorable Chairman Suk Soo Kim and the Board of Directors, President Sam Goo Park of the Yonsei Alumni Association, the former Presidents of Yonsei, and to all Yonseians and family members.
 
 Beloved graduates, 
You have done a tremendous job to achieve today’s glorious graduation. I could not be more proud of each one of you standing here today, as you have spent countless days of perseverance and overcome all kinds of challenges. You are now alumni of Yonsei, one of the world’s top 20 distinguished private universities with 130 years of proud history. Today is the day you start soaring up to the world over the rough ocean, armed with the specialized knowledge and Yonsei spirit you have cultivated at this campus. The sense of achievement and pride felt today as you receive many blessings upon your graduation will become your driving force into the future.
 
 As I send you off from the beloved Yonsei campus, I would like to recall the spirit of Yonsei, our founding principle: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This founding spirit shows that our search for the truth at Yonsei is a sacred mission in pursuit of a genuine life, a better society and a proud history.
 
 Yonsei has been making new history with the spirit of challenge and pioneering since its founding 130 years ago. Based on the Christian teaching and the spirit of the truth and freedom, Yonsei has been serving its role as a learning place that fosters leaders who will contribute to the nation and humanity’s development. It was not a coincidence that Yonsei made its name known to the world today. It has been led by our pioneers who had put in much effort and devotion to raise our name. During the dark times of colonialization, Yonsei’s pioneers devoted their lives to the nation’s independence and maintained our people’s spirit and soul. During the period of development, Yonseians became the pillars of the country’s modernization and led industrialization. In the following period of democratization, Yonsei’s students raised their voices in a noble pursuit for freedom. I have no doubt that you will now carry on Yonsei’s traditions to become the leaders of the new future for Korea and human society.
 
 Dear graduating students,
We all know that troubles have been an inseparable part of human history. However, today’s Korean society faces endless sociopolitical problems, both great and small, as social unrest has amplified amid the economic recession and conflicts have deepened. In particular, despair and cynicism have taken over the younger generation who feel anxious about their insecure future and the unemployment crisis. Complex situations, as we have seen at the end of the 19th century in the Korean peninsula, are unfolding with the conflicted interests of the world powers surrounding this country. I would like to offer a few words for the graduating students with great ambitions, who are leaving the campus today to enter the unknown world filled with uncertainties and confusion.
 
 First of all, I hope that you will continue to walk on the path to lead the spirit of the times as intellectual and knowledgeable Yonsei alumni. The spirit of the times is not given but is made. The graduating class shall have the sense of calling that opens the new chapter of the new times, instead of following the latest trends. Our ancient sages said, “When you walk through snow-covered fields, do not miss your step. Your footprints of the day will become a path for those who come after you.” As future pillars of this country, you have a great mission. You have the mission to overcome the past to create new values for humanity. Become leaders to create new paradigms. The footprints you make today will become valuable sign posts for many followers in the future.
 
 Second, never give up pursuing your dreams in spite of many challenges and hardships. Unexpected adversities may interfere with your voyage to the world after you leave the campus today. You may come across wind and waves, or even great boulders. But please do not avoid hardships. Apostle Paul has confessed: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” There is no life without trouble. A successful life is not about settling for less by avoiding challenges but it is about the pursuit of wisdom in the process of facing and overcoming difficulties. If you hold onto your great will and determination, hardships will turn into blessings.
 
 William Blake said, “The busy bee has no time for sorrow.” In troubled times, we need to pioneer the future by turning challenges into opportunities. Please remember that the indomitable determination and spirit of our great pioneers reside within our minds and bodies. Always take pride as a Yonseian wherever you go and in whatever you do, and remember the resolution you made today.
 
 Third, always remember to contribute by sharing with and caring for others. The heart of sharing and caring begins with emptying yourself. You must first overcome yourself in order to establish mature relationships with others and practice love. The Bible says, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). I sincerely hope that you can empty yourself to become intellectuals who can embrace others and share your knowledge.
 
 As you share your knowledge and care for others, intelligence will bear fruit and help resolve the social conflicts and divisions. This is the spirit of the “servant leadership” that Yonsei has been emphasizing and teaching for many years. The servant leadership has the power that sets you free from self-preservation and selfish instincts; instead, it helps us to love, respect and care for others. Yonsei’s pioneers responded to the callings from the people and history. Yonsei’s rapid advancement today has also been led by our spirit of servant leadership that prioritized social responsibilities.
 
 Our proud graduating class, 
Yonsei is continuously advanced its standing as one of the world’s leading universities through the Third Founding initiative. We have established a new paradigm of post-secondary education in Korea by implementing Asia’s first Residential College system at the Yonsei International Campus in Songdo, fully equipped with cutting-edge facilities. At our Sinchon Campus, new extension works are underway with the Baekyangro Reconstruction Project, as well as expansion of School of Business and College of Engineering. The new residential building of Woojeong Residence is also completed. Following the construction of the new Cancer Hospital, the Yonsei University Health System is further strengthening its reputation as the leading medical institution in Asia. Wonju Campus is also continuously making developmental progress.
 
 We are not only making progress in terms of renovating the infrastructure. We are also experiencing rapid growth in all areas of our mission fields of teaching, research and social contributions. Yonsei recently ranked in the top 80 in the Times Higher Education Reputation Rankings for the first time in history. It was also ranked in the top 20 among all private universities in the world, while ranking as the top private university in Asia. In addition, Yonsei established the G10 Consortium to expand strategic partnerships in education and research with leading global universities, such as Princeton University, Yale University, Cornell University, and King’s College London and advanced to the world-class ranking by joining the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Lately, our alumni have been remarkably successful in the fields of politics and finance more than ever.
 
 Yonsei will continue to create new knowledge and lead social development based on creativity and competitiveness. Just as the Yonsei alumni before your time led the making of new history throughout the periods of modernization, industrialization and democratization, it is my wish to see you lead the new advancement by experiencing change within yourself first. Our Third Founding initiative calls for the “Yonsei, where we make history” motto for this very reason. You are the leaders of new history. We are creating a new path extending from our historical path, which will help us fulfill our God-given calling. I hope to see that another great Yonseian, another Underwood, changes the world in our new history.
 
 In particular, although you close a chapter of your studies today, please continue to remember the delightful moment of intellectual enlightenment you experienced when encountering a truth. Remember the passion that helped you stay up for countless nights to discover even the smallest findings. The never-ending passion for learning will become the driving force that will help you grow as global leaders. As the world becomes more complex and unstable, we must earnestly seek after the attitude of “Homo Academicus,” who holds endless intellectual interests. Yonsei will continue to provide various learning opportunities for your intellectual growth in the future.
 
 There is one last thing that I would like to ask the graduating class to keep in mind. The 130 years of Yonsei’s history is a result of your senior alumni’s devotion and love for the university. The furture of Yonsei’s stature as a world-class university now lies in your hands. As proud alumni of Yonsei, please continue to support your alma mater. Each advance will brighten the future of Yonsei and will later become the driving force for further development. Now it is your turn to become Yonsei’s shining star to shed light on the world in all places, throughout the course of life, both great and small. Just as you take much pride in Yonsei, each one of you is also the pride of Yonsei. With your love, passion and support, Yonsei will be able to continue grow as the world’s leading university.
 
 You are now standing at the starting point for a new path, leaving behind the beloved Yonsei campus. Like the famous lines from the former Yonsei alumnus, Yun Dong-ju, “Across a stream / Over a slope to a village. / That’s my path, a new one, / I walked along yesterday and so will I today,” you need to walk your own new path. I truly believe that God’s abundant grace and blessings will be with you throughout your upcoming journey of challenges and adventures. May the grace of God be with all distinguished guests who spared their precious time to attend this commencement ceremony today.
 
 Thank you.