Commemorative Event for Sports Center and Gym Renovations Also Held The eagle statue, symbolic of Yonsei, has been renovated for the first time in 42 years since its establishment in May 1970 to stand taller, aiming higher for the vision of Yonsei. After repair work, the bronze eagle statue was cleaned and re-installed. The original four sculptures surrounding the statue and the column on which the eagle statue rested made of concrete were reproduced using granite stone. The new column is 2.7 meters taller reaching 12 meters in height, and, accordingly, the eagle statue now stands at 15 meters. The renovation cost KRW290 million and the commemorative ceremony was held on April 5th. Among the attendees, there was a person who had a special story related to the eagle statue. Choi Chung-pyeong (Class of ‘63, Political Science and International Studies)was Yonsei University Student Body President when funding for the statue began in 1968. Choi introduced an anecdote about the amount of effort students put into the construction of the statue. He explained that students wanted to erect the statue on their own, in the spirit of democracy and in accordance with Yonsei’s slogan of “Truth and Freedom.” He appealed to fellow students at chapel, and eventually around 70% of the students voted in support of the construction. The fund was raised over many years adding on a sum to the tuition to be donated to the project. The statue was the creation of Kim Young-joong, the greatest sculptor of the time. Choi emphasized, “The eagle statue is meaningful in that it was made the symbol of Yonsei through the consensus of the students. It is thoroughly a Korean eagle, symbolic for the dynamic and aggressive search for the truth and yearning for freedom. Its conception aimed for everlasting preservation of truth and freedom as a masterpiece,and I believe that the statue captures this very essence.” Meanwhile, an event was held commemorating the opening of the Sports Center and the completion of renovations of the gym in April 5th. Yonseinowhave necessary infrastructure for sports activities and related research befitting its reputable status as the leader in sports development in Korea. The newly constructed three-floor Sports Center with one basement floor on the former fencing arena building next to the gym covers 6,469,370㎡ in total floor space. Geothermal system was introduced to reduce energy use and make the building eco-friendly. Its main facilities include standard international arenas for ball games, Judo, Taekwondo, fencing, aerobics, gymnastics as well as a fitness center, classrooms and research labs. The newly renovated gym consists of three floors and a basement floor covering 2,984㎡ in floor space. Except for the existing steel frame and building framework completed in 1960, the rest of the structure underwent total renovation. In addition to the ball game arena, the gym can accommodate 1,028 spectators and has supplementary facilities such as a coach room, an office, club rooms, shower facilities and locker rooms.