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February 2014 Commencement Address 2014.02.24

February 24, 2014
 
  I would like to thank everyone here for gracing us with their presence to share the joy of graduation. First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to the graduating class receiving their bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees today, leaving behind this beloved campus to take their first steps into the world. 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. Moreover, I would also like to thank the professors who spared no effort to help the graduating class to accomplish their academic achievements and moral maturity, inside and outside the classroom. Please also accept my sincere gratitude given to the entire Yonsei family, including Honorable Chairman Suk Soo Kim of the Board of Directors and the former Presidents of Yonsei, for gracing this glorious event with their presence.
 
  Dear respected graduates, 
  Soon you will be leaving Yonsei, after closing this chapter of your lives, filled with times of intellectual pursuit. Your alma mater, Yonsei, has undertaken the role of light and salt during the nation’s dark past and bewildering times. Looking back in history, our past century has been marked by colonization, war, poverty and chaos. However, our ceaseless efforts have come to fruition at last to leave behind such hardships as the characteristics of the past. In an unprecedentedly short period of time, we have achieved modernization, industrialization and democratization, even developing our culture into a global one.
 
  Throughout the course of immense historical advancement, Yonsei’s name always shined as brightly as the morning star. At the dawn of the modern times, Yonsei’s missionaries spread medical practices and raised the nation’s leaders, based on their faith that this land shall be renewed. Even during the dark colonial period, the scholars at Yonsei never let go of the Korean language. Throughout the industrialization period, Yonsei graduates mapped out society and raised businesses. Moreover, during the period of democratization, Yonsei students virtuously roared for freedom. Where you are standing today is the very place of history itself. I believe that you will also take pride in Yonsei’s history and lead Korea’s new future by carrying on its brilliant traditions.
 
  Beloved graduates, 
  In the U.S., graduation ceremonies are referred to as “commencement.” In direct translation, it means a beginning or start. This is true. The true meaning of graduation is about a new beginning instead of an end. A new beginning is an overwhelming moment filled with anticipation and dreams for the future, which holds infinite possibilities. However, I am not only full of hope as I send you off from this starting line today. The realities that you will soon face will not always be easy. As the President of Yonsei, I would like to pass along some guidance before you leave the campus today to begin a new journey into the rugged world.
 
  First of all, I hope that you will continue to walk on a pathway to lead the spirit of the times as intellectual and knowledgeable Yonsei alumni. In human history, intelligence and knowledge have been the source of change in human minds and revolution in societal structures. Revolutionary knowledge enabled the advancement of Western civilization over the past century. The learning of such knowledge from the developed world brought forth the outstanding development in East Asia in recent years. Yet we cannot settle for such success experienced in the past. We have a mission to overcome the past to create new values for humanity.
 
  Your intelligence and knowledge shall be used to resolve the problems of the times, as the foundation to mature humanity and communities, beyond the traditional objective of growth. We shall seek for a mature and stable democratic society where respect, solicitude, reason and rationality work effectively, moving beyond the democratization of formality and institutions. With the unprecedentedly aging population, we need to combine our wisdom to solve the dilemmas in employment, growth, welfare and medical care. Outside the traditional frameworks of knowledge, we shall find a new paradigm of scientific technology based on humanism with convergence and creative thinking.
 
  The spirit of the times is not given, but is made by each of you. Instead of following the latest trend, you shall have a vocation to open the first pages of a new era. It is said that to overcome the uncertainties of the future, one should create a future of his or her own. You shall become leaders to make new paradigms. This is the spirit of Yonsei.
 
  Second of all, I would like to ask earnestly that you fulfill the role of a global leader to make history at any time, and anywhere. The 21st century that you will be leading is a period where boundaries are gone, in terms of space, and all things change at the speed of light, in terms of time. The boundaries between countries, economies and societies are gradually losing their meaning. Your stage of action is open to the world, beyond the boundaries of Korea and East Asia. Your identity will also expand beyond the Korean nationality to become a global citizen. You shall gain the cultural refinement to embrace diverse values, professional competence to converge different knowledge, and moral self-respect to communicate and understand other citizens of the world, as well as virtues and insights of these global times.
 
  Simple knowledge and blind human relations will not foster one into a leader, and such factors do not guarantee success. Exercising leadership does not refer to standing on top of others. “Open leaders” must care for others with various virtues, while still leading them. Depending on situations, one would need consolidation, concern, determination, passion and immersion. To become a leader means to become a person of discernment and sensibility. It defines Yonsei’s “servant leadership” that has been emphasized and taught for many years.
 
  Last of all, I would like to encourage you never to give up and to continue actualizing your dreams regardless of any challenges and troubles. After leaving this campus, you will be faced with many unexpected difficulties at various intersections of life. Do not be frustrated or give up in the face of such hardships. The Bible tells us, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). The hymn sings, “Blest be the tempest, kind the storm, which drives us nearer home” (“If, On a Quiet Sea”). I hope that you would trust in the strength of your inner courage, thinking about the bigger picture of life, especially during troubled times. Your life will further mature to shine brightly as you face troubles with grand desires and determination.
 
  Our proud Yonsei family, 
  Yonsei is preparing to leap towards becoming a world class university through the “Third Founding” initiative. The Residential College system has been successfully implemented to make history in Korea’s post-secondary education. The Baekyangro reconstruction project to transform Sinchon Campus into a place of green space and culture is also underway according to plan. We are using every endeavor to become the world university in Asia by developing a new university culture through teaching, research, student welfare and internationalization.
 
  There is one thing that I would like to ask the graduating class to bear in mind. Yonsei’s reputation now depends on how you shape your future pathways. Your support for Yonsei will make the future of Yonsei. The 129 years of Yonsei’s history was a result of your senior alumni’s devotion and love for the school. Now it is your turn to become Yonsei’s shining stars to shed light on the world in all places, throughout the course of your life, great and small. As proud Yonsei alumni, please encourage Yonsei’s development together. With Yonsei’s advancement, its stars will shine more brightly to become later the driving force for Yonsei’s further development.
 
  Dear graduating class, 
  Now step into the world and the future in the name of Yonsei. Yonsei will flourish with your great steps into the future, and shine more brightly with your accomplishments. Your way through mountains and canyons will pave the new future of Yonsei. It is my earnest wish for you to become “leaders to serve the nation and human society in the spirit of truth and freedom.” Above all, I believe that God’s abundant love and blessings will be with you all, as He had planted a grain of wheat by sending Dr. Horace G. Underwood to this chaotic and dark land to accomplish a grand history through Yonsei.
 
  Once again, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the graduating class and their family, as they bear the fruits of diligence today. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude for all alumni, government organizations, community leaders and corporations for generous scholarship donations that supported the students’ learning. May God’s grace always be with you and your future endeavors.
 
  Thank you.