There is nothing surprising about the joining of Severance Medical School and Yonhee College into Yonsei University in 1957, Severance Medical School, which bore the legacy of Gwanghyewon (Korea’s first modern hospital, founded in 1885), was the leader in medical education and missionary work in Korea, while Yonhee, established on the foundations of Chosun Christian College (1915), was at the forefront of Western and Korean Studies among the private institutions of Korea. They both shared the pioneering spirit, based on Christians values of Truth and Freedom, and of Service to humanity. This pioneering spirit has passed on to Yonsei. The Yonhee-Severance incorporation occurred during times that were especially difficult for the Korean people, in the aftermath of the Korean War that literally razed the country to the ground not long after liberation from Japanese occupation. During these times of trial (of both the Japanese occupation and civil war), Yonhee and Severance revealed to the world the greatness of their pioneering spirit, functioning as preservers of Korean culture and identity against Japanese attempts at eradication; and faculty, students, and alumni worked together to restore the university in the aftermath of the Korean War. The joining of the indefatigable spirits of Yonhee and Severance, their courage to pursue Truth and Freedom, their compassion and service to humanity, created a formidable foundation of Yonsei University, which will stand strong for generations to come.