NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Doctor Shin Jaiwon Last January, Doctor Shin Jaiwon, a graduate of the Yonsei Department of Mechanical Engineering, was promoted to the position of Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. His promotion is significant in that it was the first case for an Asian to reach this highest position in NASA. Moreover, Dr Shin accomplished it in mere 19 years, compared to the median 25-30 years for such promotion. “I feel pride in the fact that my research and technology makes possible safer airplane flights, shorter flight times, and reduction of pollution from planes,” remarks Dr Shin in summing up his job. Dr. Shin is in charge of planning and managing civilian aeronautics research at NASA. His main duties include establishing the direction, policies, and budget for research. Since management and evaluation of research results is a major part of his work, he is extensively involved in cooperating with various offices in the White House, the U.S. Congress, the NASA Research Center, the major airlines of the U.S., universities, research centers, and other federal governmental organizations. When asked to reveal the secret of his success, Dr. Shin gave a modest answer. “I don’t have a special secret, but I have tried to maintain integrity and compassion. I tried to become someone who is the same inside and out, and focused on thinking from the perspectives of others with composure and sympathy. I have been greatly blessed with a large group of people who trust and support me.” Of course, there were difficulties in Dr. Shin’s path to this position. The greatest problem was language. In the early 1980s, when Dr. Shin first studied English in Korea, the focus had been on grammar, making it difficult for him to make transition to the everyday English in the U.S., which entailed adopting not merely to language but to culture and social norms as well. Looking back on his early years in America, he now laughs away at the episode, but it took him over an hour to open a personal account at the bank. Dr. Shin added that he felt it was a positive change that young Koreans are now learning to use practical English at schools. Dr. Shin has fond memories of his university life. Above all, he recalls the annual Yon-Ko Festival (Yonsei-Korea varsity games). He remembers the parade from Dondgaemun Stadium back to Sinchon Campus, after the matches were over, walking into restaurants on the way for free meals and gifts from Yonsei graduates, and gathering at the famous (but now closed) Eagle Coffee House to rally together and sing cheers. He cannot forget the beautiful Yonsei campus, with its classic buildings and modern buildings complementing each other amidst the flowering trees. Compared to the many campuses in the U.S. that he has visited throughout his career, it seems to him that Yonsei has a campus which compares favorably with any of them. Most importantly, Dr. Shin gave credit to Yonsei’s education, based as it is on Christian spirit inspiring her students to become not merely highly qualified individuals but leaders who are willing to serve the nation and society. Dr. Shin asked Yonsei students to take affectionate pride in their university. “Only when you have love and pride for yourself and the group you are affiliated with, can you have a constructive perspective and positive attitude as a member of society, which enables you to embrace people from diverse backgrounds in fairness and justice.” Dr. Shin’s most important advice to young students was to choose an area to specialize in and then to give everything to it. “Of course, the most important thing is to meet God as soon as possible, and fit yourself into the picture He has prepared for you. I do hope all Yonsei students will be able to meet the Lord and receive His grace.” A devout Christian, Dr. Shin said that he could not have achieved what he has without the help of God, and ended the interview by saying that he would like to have an occasion to pass on God’s love to young people.