University News

Int'l Alumni Achievement, Alumni Achievement

April 21, 2010

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MACOMB, IL -- 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 will be 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; and 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.

Herb Strong, a 1972 finance graduate, will receive the WIU Alumni Achievement Award at the
May 15 commencement ceremonies.

Western's Alumni Achievement Award is given 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; and exceptional service in support of the advancement and continued excellence of WIU.

Strong served as president/CEO of MidAmerica National Bank from November 2006 until his retirement in March 2010. He also served as president of MidAmerica's Macomb office for 11 years. A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, Strong began his banking career in 1973 as an examiner for the Commissioner of Banks and Trusts Companies.

He worked as a trust officer and vice president-trust at Union National Bank of Macomb for 21 years. Strong was named trust division manager of MidAmerica National Bank in 1997, a position he held until his recent retirement.

He is a member of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, the Salvation Army of Macomb Board, the Macomb Rotary Club, Network Knowledge (public television WMEC, WQEC and WSEC) Board of Directors, the WIU Performing Arts Society, and the McDonough District Hospital Development Council.

Strong has served as the chair of the McDonough County United Way, board member and chair of Bridgeway, Inc., and board member and officer of the Macomb Downtown Development Corporation.



Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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