History of Yonsei

First Founding
First Founding(1885~1956)

History of Yonsei University starts on April 10th, 1885, from Korea’s first modernized hospital ‘Gwanghyewon.’ 2 weeks after opening, Gwanghyewon changed its name to ‘Chejungwon,’ named by the King Kojong. Gwanghyewon was established by a medical missionary named Allen. Prior to opening, missionary Underwood visited Korea, assisting Chejungwon’s medical businesses while starting works in education and missionary works.. These two men’s businesses based at Chejungwon has become current-day Yonsei’s foundation.
Since then, the medical sector has developed to Severance Medical College, Severance Hospital, and Severance Medical School, and the education sector grew into Yonhi University after Underwood School, Gyeongsin School, and Yonhi College. Yonhi and Severance worked for independence and modernization of Korea while under Japanese occupation and at times of crises. They also took responsibility of universities for establishing democracy and modern society after the Korean War.
1. 1885.04.10 GwangHyewon, Korea’s first western hospital is
  established as a royal medical institution.
  1. GwangHyewon, the beginning of Yonsei Medical School
  and the first modern medical institution
  2. Dr. Horace Newton Allen, The founder of GwangHyeWon
  (1858-1932)
2. 1899.04 Chejungwon, the first formal medical school ,
  with Dr.Avison as the first head of institution
  1. Dr. Oliver R. Avison, the founder of Severence Hospital.
  (1860-1956)
3. 1904.09.03 Severence Hospital reconstructed through a donation
  from Mr.L.H Severence.
  1. Severence Hospital
4. 1915.03.05 Chosen Christian College opened in Y.M.C.A,
  First Principal Won, Do Woo, Vice-Principal Avison.
  1. Commemorative photograph on the founding day of
  Chosen Chirstian College(1915)
5. 1942.06 Severence Medical School forced to re-name
  the institution to ‘Asahi Medical School’.
6. 1942.08.17 The Japanese confiscated Yonhi College as
  enemy property and the first Japanese
  principal was appointed.
  1. Ordeal of the Underwood Statue
  - The Japanese forcefullly extortd the Underwood Statue
  and built "興亞紀念塔"
7. 1944.04 Yonhi College forced to re-name the institution to
  ‘Gyeong Seong College of Administration.
8. 1946.08 Yonhi officially recognized as a university,
  with four colleges and 11 departments.
9. 1955.03.23 Yonhi College and Severence Medical School
  to form a collegiate union.
Second Founding
Second Founding(1957~2009)

In 1957, Yonhi University and Severance Medical School were consolidated, creating Yonsei University. In 1962, the medical school and the Severance Hospital moved from being located in front of Seoul Station to Sinchon Campus, being completely consolidated. After this consolidation, Yonsei University grew into one of the best universities. It became the driving force behind Korea’s economic and political growth, and it also led university education and research.
This Yonsei spirit and academic tradition also took roots in Wonju. Opening as medical school Wonju campus in 1978, and it expanded its academic fields to establish itself as a university, and it grew into Gangwon region’s leading campuses since moving to Maeji-ri in 1984.
1. 1957.01.05 Reconfiguration into a
  Modern University and Innovative Restructuring
  (1957 - 1979)
2. 1957.03.25 Dr. Nak Jun Baek was appointed as the chancellor and
  Dr.HyunBae Choi, Dr. MyungSun Kim were appointed
  as vice- chancellors of Yonsei University.
  1. Dr. Nak Jun Baek, The first chancellor of
  Yonsei University (1895-1985)
  2. Chancellor Baek’s Inaugural ceremony
3. 1962.06.05 Faculty and students’ dormitories and Severene
  Hospital dedicated to be built in Sinchon Campus.
  (Courtesy of China Medical Board of USA and
  the 8th corps of US forces in Korea)
  
  Severence at Sinchon in 1960s
4. 1978.10 Wonju Campus of Yonsei University established and
  the department of public health founded.
5. 1981.01.08 1981 Wonju campus elevated to Wonju College
  with 10 departments.
  (Department of Medicine (Pre-med, Med), Public Health,
  English Literature, Economics, Business Administration,
  Mathematics, Physics, Biology)
Third Founding
Third Founding(2010~)

By opening an international campus in Songdo, Incheon in 2010, Yonsei University took its first step towards a new history. To acquire world-class education and research power, it launched a new challenge under ‘3rd Founding’ as its vision.
Through autonomy and integration of its campuses (Sinchon, medical center, Wonju, international), Yonsei is committed to developing education and research, building Yonsei communities, and training talented individuals that can reach out to isolated parts of the world. By doing this, Yonsei hopes to continuously contribute to the development of mankind and society through leading creative change, and to build a new history.
1. 2010.03.03 International Campus Opening
2. 2011.09.28 Returning of Yonhi College flag after 61 years
3. 2012.05.12 Yonsei ‘Third Founding’ Announcement
4. 2013.05.11 Baekyang Road Recreation Project Commencement
5. 2015.05.09 130th Anniversary Commemoration

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