Alumni

2009 International Alumni Achievement Award

Hyuk-Jong KimHyuk-Jong Kim

Western Illinois University graduate Hyuk-Jong Kim, president of Gwangju University in Korea, has been named the inaugural recipient of the WIU International Alumni Achievement Award. Kim was recognized Saturday, May 15 at the Spring 2010 Commencement Exercises.

The International Alumni Achievement Award is presented to an international alumnus/na in recognition of outstanding contributions to any of the following: exceptional accomplishment in one's chosen field of endeavor; exceptional service in community affairs at the local, state or national levels; or exceptional service in support of the advancement and continued excellence of WIU.

Kim received his master's in education from Western in 1987. He has served as president of Gwangju University since May 2003. Kim joined the Gwangju faculty in 1987, teaching in the department of education. He was named director of the Office of Planning at Gwangju in March 1994, a position he held in addition to teaching education classes until April 2003.

He serves as a board member of the Korean University Education Association; as chair of the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Presidents Association; as a board member of the Daedong Cultural Foundation; and a member of the promotion committee for the Gwangju World Women's Forum for Peace. He has served as an adviser to the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development and to the Council for the Promotion of the 2012 World Expo to the Provincial Area.

Kim has been instrumental in supporting Gwangju University students who attend Western's summer program, which allows students to further enhance their English skills and learn more about American culture. In addition, Kim has hosted a delegation of Western faculty and administrators at Gwangju University.

Kim is a member of the Inspection Council for the Ministry of Justice and is a Standing Representative of the Main Center for the Mutual Support of the Two Koreas. He is also currently serving as a committee board member for the Gwangju 2015 Summer Universiade.

He received his bachelor's degree from Sungkyunkwan University.