2008 Fall Commencement Presidential Speech To all you graduating in the memorable year of our 123rd anniversary, I wish you the blessings and grace of God. I would also like to thank Chairman of the Board Bang Woo-Young and other members of the board, and our former university presidents for participating in today’s ceremonies, and the parents of our graduates for helping our students finish their journey toward the degrees they will be receiving today. Today, we will award 1,010 bachelor’s degrees, 1,546 master’s degrees, 182 doctoral degrees, and 13 research degrees for a total of 2,751 degree recipients. During your stay at Yonsei, be it four years, six years, or ten years, we have endeavored to nurture ideas for the betterment of the rights and the future of humanity and the Christian spirit in which Yonsei was established, in addition to the knowledge in your respective major fields. As the result of such endeavors, I am proud to announce that we have produced another group of fine graduates that will live up to our proud tradition of 123 years. My dear graduates! For all of you now putting the familiar campus behind and stepping out to the world, the Korean and international society has the highest hopes and expectations. Globally, we are coming to the end of a society that is centered on fossil fuel, traditional financial systems are awaiting new order, and conflicts are plaguing many parts of the world. Among the 209 nations in our world, 71 have been classified as conflict areas. Domestically, continuous economic development through science and technology and social unification are our main concerns. Since 2003, we have thought ourselves to be on the brink of gaining the status of a fully developed country, but we have not been able to reach this goal yet. The recent Dokdo issue and the Geumgangsan shooting show that we have not fully overcome the burden of our former imperialistic occupation and status as a divided nation. Yonsei graduates! I firmly believe that it is the calling of our time to rise to the occasion and overcome these obstacles, to serve the world as Yonseians. Dr. Underwood was 27 years old when he first came to Joseon, a land ravaged by imperialistic forces, to lay the foundation for Yonsei. Poet Yoon Dong Ju was arrested by the Japanese police when he was 27, for singing of freedom, dignity and the independence of Joseon despite the oppressive presence of the Japanese. They were your age. It is being said that the Korean economy is struggling, but we have shown great resilience over the past 50 years. The process of becoming a democratic state and an industrialized nation, which took England 200 years, was completed in 50 years in Korea. Now it is your duty to further the nation’s development in science and realize our vision of a truly unified nation. To all of you who have finished one stage and are embarking on a trip toward the next, I would like to ask two things. First, retain your critical intellect throughout your life. Intellect is the base of knowledge and wisdom, and is the motivating force behind the development of society. As long as an intellect that refuses to condone laziness and corruption exists, the future of our society is bright. Second, become leaders who are not afraid to pursue dreams. When a society’s leaders dream of a better world, that society will become better. I hope you will all remember your dreams of a fair society, a beautiful society, a plentiful society, a happy society. The more you dream, the happier our society and the world will become. There have been many changes in the history of mankind. The 19th century was the time of freedom, the 20th century the time of equality, and the 21st century will become the period of happiness. Yonsei University will do our best to fulfill our calling as well. Already in the field of science, Yonsei is nearing the mark of ranking among the top 100 in SCI publication record, and the opening of the Songdo Global Complex in 2010 will be another chance for us to grow further. We will continue to double our research efforts and produce warm-hearted leaders with community-oriented values. Beloved Yonsei graduates! You are our messengers to the world. The world is waiting to feel hope through you, and also to evaluate Yonsei. We will be waiting for the world to send replies of affirmation. I would like to end by reading you a verse from the scriptures to congratulate you and wish you the best. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9) August 29, 2008 President Kim Han-Joong