Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

  SUNY Korea officially opened its newly renovated library and student lounge on October 21, 2024. The renovation, which began at the start of the semester, provides more modern facilities and a better environment for studying and relaxing. The library now includes more seating, improved lighting, and modern furnishings, while the lounge has been redesigned with comfortable seating areas and study-friendly spaces. The renovated library and student lounge now provide a perfect space to prepare for their upcoming exams while also offering a place to relax.  The newly designed lounge is located on the first floor of the building. It gives students a space to relax and hang out with their friends. Now that the lounge offers more comfortable seating and a casual environment, students can unwind or catch up with friends in between classes.  The second and third floors serve as study zones. On the second floor, a reading lounge is available as well as several group study rooms for students studying together. The third floor is operated as quiet study zones, designed for those needing a more focused environment. Reservations are required for all seats, except for the window study zones on the third floor, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve seats or group study rooms, students can use the kiosks located on both the second and third floors. Reservation can be made for a maximum of four hours at a time.  A major change made in conjunction with the renovation is that both the second and third floors are now open 24 hours, giving students more flexibility in their study schedules. Just remember to bring your SUNY Korea student or faculty ID to enter the library!            Written by Student Reporter, Yeongeun Ahn (yeongeun.ahn@stonybrook.edu)  

  On October 16th, SUNY Korea’s Museum of Modern Costume had the honor of opening its doors to showcase the work of Jaewon Park, a brilliant artist who has brought her Korean roots to life through fashion design. To celebrate the new exhibition, Resonance: 60 years of Jaewon Park’s Design Legacy, SUNY held a reception & ribbon cutting ceremony with faculty, staff, and students joining Jaewon Park in recognizing her remarkable career. The reception began with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Professor Linda Kim, during which 10 notable figures had the honors: Designer Jaewon Park, Museum Director Heisoon Shim, Vice Presidents Pyungryun Yu and Hamid Hefazi, Fashion Design Chair Mark-Evan Blackman, Fashion Business Management Chair Robin Baxter, President of the Fashion Group Korea Hyunmi Jang, and first-generation fashion designers of Korea, Taewook Jin, Eunhwan  Oh, and YounHyung Sul.  Following the ceremony, Heisoon Shim, Director of the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, commented on the historical weight of this exhibition, stating, “Jaewon Park has been a pioneering figure in the world of fashion, having made significant contributions to elevating the level of Korean artwear by organizing Korea's first international fashion art biennale in the 1900’s.” Vice President Dr. Pyungryun Yu added a congratulatory remark, noting that the exhibition “beautifully showcases the creativity of Korean fashion. Today we honor the incredible legacy of Jaewon Park . . . who has shaped Korean fashion.” The opening ceremony closed with words from Jaewon Park herself, who shared some insight into the story behind the essence of her designs: “I worked with the belief that the most Korean elements are the most global. I expressed myself . . . using traditional Korean materials such as ink, Hanji paper, and ramie fabric, which I later developed into products.” Jaewon Park has been closely knit into the fabric of Korea's fashion legacy, participating in various fashions tours all over the world, joining the Korean Chapter of the World Fashion Group in 1992, and being awarded Fashion Person of the Year at the 1st Fashion Awards in 1995. It is SUNY Korea’s joy to house this collection for everyone to see. The Resonance: 60 years of Jaewon Park’s Design Legacy exhibition is being held in two parts, with PART 1: Black & White from October 16, 2024 to November 11, 2024, and PART 2: Colors being showcased from November 27, 2024 through March 7, 2025. Held in Academic Building A, B-101, come experience Jaewon Park’s unique story for yourself through her iconic pieces.   Written by Student Reporter, Kenessa Washington (kenessa_washington@fitnyc.edu)  

  SUNY Korea participated in the recent IGC Career Day event, which featured a series of mentorship sessions led by professionals from various industries and companies. The event took place at the Incheon Global Campus on October 12, 2024, hosted by all four universities (SUNY Korea, George Mason Korea, Ghent University Global Campus, and Utah Asia Campus). It began with a special introductory lecture on recruiting trends in companies, followed by a total of 12 mentorship sessions covering diverse fields such as tourism, marketing, finance and accounting, life sciences and technology, global sales, entertainment, aerospace, mechanical engineering, product planning, data science, cosmetics, gaming, and the F&B industry. This event offered valuable information and resources that are crucial for students preparing to enter the job market. To wrap up the day, there was a raffle draw, where students had the chance to win prizes of 60,000 won and 100,000 won. Overall, the IGC Career Day was a significant opportunity for SUNY students to engage with industry professionals, gain insights into various career paths, and enhance their preparedness for future employment.    Written by Student Reporter, Onyinyechi Achi (onyinyechi.achi@stonybrook.edu)

  SUNY Korea will celebrate ‘Hanbok Day’ on October 21st as a new campaign with students from the Fashion Design Department at FIT. ‘Hanbok Day’ is a day to recognize the cultural significance of this traditional Korean attire, and to promote its preservation and development in fashion. This day was established by the Korean government in 1996, and it serves as an important occasion to honor Korea’s cultural heritage and strengthen bonds across generations. This day consists not only of wearing the hanbok, but goes beyond that into reviving the beauty of this Korean tradition with a modern touch. The Fashion Design Department at SUNY Korea FIT has come up with a variety of innovative ways to make Hanbok a more dearly loved attire in the fashion industry, contributing to its evolution from a traditional garment into a more modern and practical clothing. Through this project, the Fashion Design students have designed and crafted hanbok pieces, and invited students from Incheon to participate in this event. The event aims to provide an opportunity to learn and experience the history and values of the hanbok, so that the rich cultural heritage of Korea can be passed down to future generations.     In particular, this campaign will serve as a signicificant milestone as SUNY Korea FIT is taking the lead in celebrating Hanbok day and revitalizing Korean culture. FIT emphasizes that the hanbok should not only be worn on special occasions but also as a modern day clothing to demonstrate a new cultural identity and pride. Participation in this campaign is simple. Anyone can join by simply wearing a hanbok and sharing photos and stories on Instagram, hashtagging #HanbokDayFIT2024. Mark-Evan Blackman, the chair of the Fashion Design Department, stated, “I hope that everyone can take part in this journey of continuing to spread the importance and pride of the Hanbok to keep its legacy alive.”  

    A new exhibition, “Resonance: 60 Years of Jaewon Park’s Design Legacy,” will open at the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume on October 16, 2023. This special exhibition will run until March 7, 2024, and will be divided into two parts. The first part will feature the theme of “Black and White,” while the second part will resonate with “Color,” with around 30 outfits on display. Jaewon Park was the first Korean to host the International Biennale Costume Exhibition in the 1990s and is recognized for her contributions to the advancement of Korea’s artwear. The first part of the exhibition, “Black and White,” is inspired by East Asian art, particularly oriental painting, and features pieces made by twisting hanji (Korean traditional paper) and dyeing it with muk (Korean ink). This exhibition highlights a unique expression of East Asian art through fashion by contrasting black and white. The theme of the second part is “Color,” showcasing works that reinterpret obangsaek (the five traditional Korean cardinal colors) in a modern context. These pieces, featuring delicate handcraft techniques such as pleating and appliqué, blend tradition with modernity, illustrating the process of how handcrafted artwear evolves into practical fashion. President Arthur H. Lee delivered a congratulatory message, stating, “At our university, we strive for creativity and innovation across various fields, and this special exhibition reflects that spirit. I believe it will serve as an inspiration not only to our students but also to all visitors as they reflect on the artistic passion and legacy of Park Jaewon.” The SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume is open to the public from 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays (closed on weekends and holidays). This exhibition will run from October 16 to March 7, with a scheduled closure from November 16 to 26. It will reopen with part two on November 27.  

  SUNY Korea has conducted a training program to strengthen school administrator capabilities in the age of AI digitalization in cooperation with the Seoul Bukbu Office of Education. The training program was held at Incheon Global Campus for two days on September 24 and September 26, and more than 160 people, including Lee Jeong-hee, head of the Seoul Bukbu Office of Education, 140 middle and high school principals, vice principals, and scholars, attended. The two lectures were provided by two professors from SUNY Korea. Neal Dreamson, a professor of Technological System Management, conducted a lecture under the theme of “Digital Transformation in Education” and Ryu Ji-hoon, a professor of Computer Science, did a lecture on "Intuitive Thinking and Speed of Thinking through AI." Through this training, principals, vice-principals, and supervisors were able to strengthen the capabilities that school administrators should have in the AI digital era and gain insights into the future of secondary education and the direction of school management. SUNY Korea will continue to cooperate with the Seoul Bukbu Office of Education on various programs, including training for school administrators and initiatives for students in the district.

  Linda Kim, professor of FIT, was named “Artist of the Year 2024” at the 2024 International Fashion Art Biennale. The theme of this year’s biennale was In Harmony with Nature: A Journey of Sustainable Fashion Art. Out of 77 fashion artists, representing 12 countries, Professor Kim was recognized for her exceptional contribution to sustainable fashion.  The 2024 International Fashion Art Biennale, hosted by The Korea Fashion & Culture Association, was held from September 11th to September 19th at the Oil Tank Culture Park, Culture Complex. The exhibition features thought-provoking sub-themes of Contemplation, Coexistence, and Embrace. The garments on display reflected extraordinary creativity and craftsmanship, offering a unique perspective on sustainable fashion.  Additionally, The Korea Fashion & Culture Association marked its 30th anniversary, having started with the first Gwangju Biennale in 1995.  

Stony Brook University Interim President Richard McCormick delivered his first Stony Brook State of the University address on September 25, sharing how the university will meet the challenges it faces while continuing to excel as the flagship university of New York.  McCormick — who previously served as president at Rutgers University and the University of Washington — officially joined Stony Brook on August 1 and formally introduced himself to the university community with the address, sharing his extensive experience and life-long commitment working in higher education. McCormick, who holds a PhD in history, provided “a brief history lesson” on the importance of higher education, highlighting how Stony Brook represents the most important developments in American higher education, including:   Click here to read the original article.

Department of Computer Science Professor Steven Skiena, along with his former students Rami al-Rfou and Bryan Perozzi, received the 2024 KDD Test of Time Award for their work on graph representation learning. The KDD Test of Time Award highlights the long-term value of pioneering research, acknowledging that some papers gain prominence and influence over time. Presented by the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (ACM SIGKDD), it recognizes a paper that has made a lasting and influential impact on data mining and knowledge discovery.   Click here to read the original article.

The Museum at FIT recently opened a groundbreaking exhibition that looks at the African diaspora through a fashion lens. The museum’s associate curator of costume, Elizabeth Way, conceived of this show, Africa’s Fashion Diaspora, and selected the pieces that are on display. Newsroom spoke with the exhibition curator about how the show approaches Black identity, what visitors should look for, and how they can extend their knowledge.   Newsroom: How is this show different from other fashion exhibitions with a focus on Africa? Elizabeth Way: Africa’s Fashion Diaspora is a focused exhibition that looks at how Black fashion designers from across the diaspora are contributing to transnational conversations on modern Black identity. Philosophers and politicians have called these ideas Pan-Africanism, Black Consciousness, Négritude, and even Afrofuturism. This exhibition acknowledges fashion’s crucial role in expressing Black identity across national boundaries.   Click here to read the original article.

Stony Brook University recently announced the launch of its new AI Innovation Institute (AI3), expanding the Institute for AI-Driven Discovery and Innovation established in 2018 from a department-level institute within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to a university-wide endeavor. AI3 Interim Director Steve Skiena, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science, led a virtual Town Hall on September 11 to discuss Stony Brook’s AI initiative in more detail. Skiena began by noting the impact that AI is not limited only to high-tech disciplines, but is pervasive technology that affects everybody.    Click here to read the original article.

On Sept. 10, FIT’s sun-filled Art and Design Gallery played host to this year’s annual Fashion Design Master of Fine Arts (MFA) runway show. Featuring the designs of 13 graduates from the class of 2024 in the Fashion Design MFA program, it was the first time that an FIT runway show took place on campus during New York Fashion Week. Titled BEYOND, the show featured designers “from diverse backgrounds and cultures, converg[ing] to redefine boundaries and celebrate unity in diversity.” More than 200 guests attended, with others watching a livestream. (Visit the show’s website, fitnyc.edu/beyond, for designer bios, collection information, and the video.) The event began with opening remarks from President Joyce F. Brown, who welcomed the audience and acknowledged the graduates’ hard work in a competitive degree program. “You embraced and benefited from the experiential learning that is a cornerstone of FIT, and I know you will carry that training forward as lifelong learners in your chosen fields.”   Click here to read the original article.

  Charis Asante-Agyei, one of the first graduates of SUNY Korea and our very first alumnus to become a university professor, now teaches at Lewis & Clark College. During his years at SUNY Korea, Charis distinguished himself not only through academic excellence but also by his commitment to service, including a memorable “Africa Mission 2016” community service trip to Burkina Faso, where he organized a science camp for children. Read the second part of his History Makers interview to see how he continues to build on his story.    What is the most valuable lesson you learned at SUNY Korea that has helped you the most in life?  Embrace adventure. SUNY Korea offered me numerous opportunities to embrace adventure. A good example of this is when my colleagues and I created the Undergraduate Student Council (USC). It was a great adventure that helped students organize and develop a sense of community. Part of embracing adventure is realizing that we are not alone, and that we can serve others and help them on their own journey. And sometimes, we may even have to create our own adventures. What is your most memorable experience from your time at SUNY Korea? I will forever cherish the Rube Goldberg machine my colleagues and I built for our freshman class. In particular, I remember incorporating physics calculations regarding how a ball would roll through a circular path. That experience continues to guide how I design experiential learning for my students. I have to quickly add that each bite of DD chicken was a great memory too. Do you stay in touch with anyone from SUNY Korea?  Yes, I stay in touch with some staff members, and many of my friends who are currently alumni. I formed strong friendships that continue to this day.  I believe Professors Joseph Cabuay, Anthony Pennings, Suzana Brown, and Mark Whitaker still teach at SUNY Korea. They nurtured my curiosity and analytical abilities. What is your dream or aspiration for the future?  My dream is to develop actionable knowledge to guide sustainable entrepreneurship around the world. What message would you like to give to incoming freshmen at SUNY Korea? SUNY Korea is a great environment to nurture your pioneering spirit. Start something new, make history, and develop your entrepreneurial and global mindset. Embrace the adventure! We are History Makers. We change the world.  CLICK HERE to read his first interview CLICK HERE to watch his interview

As a child who suffered from severe childhood asthma, Burton Rocks ’94 got an early lesson in dealing with adversity. Spending much of his school years in hospitals, including Stony Brook, Rocks had to find ways to pass the lonely, solitary hours. One of those ways not only carved a path that enabled him to interact with his heroes but put him on a road that would lead to producing an award-winning documentary almost 40 years later. The 30-minute film, Burton Rocks Calling, includes snippets of interviews with subjects from sports legends like Charles Barkley and Nolan Ryan to Hollywood heavyweights like Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney. Rocks even got rare interviews with Negro League legends Buck Leonard and Buck O’Neil, as well as a first-hand account of one of baseball’s most enduring tales of folklore, Babe Ruth’s alleged “called shot,” from Ruth’s teammate, former Yankees player and coach Frank Crosetti. Click here to read the original article.

    On Wednesday, August 28th, SUNY Korea proudly appointed 11 new Student Ambassadors for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. President Arthur H. Lee presented each ambassador with a Certificate of Appointment, recognizing their commitment to representing SUNY Korea both on and off campus. The newly appointed Student Ambassadors will serve as representatives of SUNY Korea, embodying the university’s vision and mission wherever they go. Their role will involve promoting the university, assisting with events, and supporting fellow students throughout the academic year. The 11 Student Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 academic year are: Elisa Kim | Applied Mathematics and Statistics (Masters) Anza Amatya | Applied Mathematics and Statistics Seol Lee | Business Management Seyoung Choi | Electrical and Computer Engineering MinHee Kim | Fashion Business Management Jihye Chun | Fashion Business Management Gibson Katuma | Mechanical Engineering Diego Alejandro Alvarez Gonzalez | Mechanical Engineering Chunga Seo | Technological Systems Management Seohee Maeng | Technological Systems Management Sepehr Soheili | Technological Systems Management President Arthur H. Lee commended the students, stating, “Student Ambassadors are the face of SUNY Korea. They exemplify the spirit of our university and will contribute to fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment for all. As the newly appointed SUNY Korea Ambassadors, representing both Stony Brook University and FIT, I encourage you to set the exemplary standards of what it means to be a SUNY Korea student wherever you go.” SUNY Korea looks forward to the impact these ambassadors will bring as they take on their new roles for the upcoming academic year.