History Makers. We Change the World!
On June 13th, 2025, SUNY Korea celebrated a momentous day, beginning with a commencement ceremony for the Spring 2025 graduating class at the IGC Auditorium. Together, the graduates of SUNY represented seven departments: Computer Science, Technology and Society, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Fashion Business Management, and Fashion Design. This wide array of majors was just one aspect of their diversity- students came from over ten different countries, representing the global reach SUNY Korea has worked hard to cultivate over the years. Professor Hamid Hefazi served as the anchor for the event, beginning with a warm welcome to the graduates and their friends and family who came to celebrate their accomplishments. Arthur H. Lee, President of SUNY Korea, gave a congratulatory speech, reminding the new graduates that they are part of a large network of successful alumni all over the world, working towards a brighter future. Their achievements - whether earning an Associate's, Bachelor's, or pursuing further education - were made possible by their dedication and perseverance at SUNY Korea. Carl Lejuez, Provost and Executive Vice President of SBU and Chairman of SUNY Korea LLC, once again joined the ceremony this year to deliver a congratulatory message to the graduating class. He reminded the graduates that they are now part of a global alumni network of over 200,000 members from the State University of New York (SUNY), and encouraged them to stay connected and support one another through mentorship and shared experiences. SUNY Korea welcomed a special guest this year: Tardis Johnson, Associate Dean of Student Academic Support and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at FIT, who traveled from New York City to give a speech to the FIT graduating class in Incheon, South Korea. His invigorating speech emphasized the honor it was to graduate as an alumnus of one of the best fashion schools in the world, praising their hard work and encouraging them to keep being true to themselves and their creative sides. The ceremony concluded with the awarding of certificates to the graduates, many of whom received honors such as Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude—a testament to the strong academic ethic SUNY Korea students have maintained throughout their time here. Among these academic stars, FIT’s Minhee Kim, a Fashion Business Management graduate, and SBU’s So Won Park, an Applied Mathematics and Statistics graduate, were appointed Valedictorians of their respective schools. Following the ceremony, FIT Korea welcomed guests to view the incredible work of the graduating Fashion Design students at the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume. Among the many beautiful garments designed by the graduates, designers Yoonseo Han and Anežka Rysavá were selected for the ‘Critic Awards’ by Jaewon Park, a renowned trailblazer in the growth of the Korean fashion industry, in recognition of their beautiful and thoughtful handiwork. During this ceremony, Professor Mark-Evan Blackman gave a congratulatory speech to the graduating class, leaving many students in tears after having shared so many memories and sleepless nights creating these pieces with the others in the room. The close bond between the Fashion Design professors and graduates was evident, shaped by months of collaboration at SUNY Korea. The Fashion Design faculty honored the commitment and hard work of their graduating students by giving them a gift of appreciation, a heartfelt end to a lovely student showcase. (Critic Awards to Yoonseo Han and Anežka Rysavá) The journey of these SUNY Korea graduates doesn’t end here–some will enter the professional world, while others will continue their studies in the United States and beyond. Regardless of their next steps, their shared experience here at SUNY Korea links them together. We proudly wish them a farewell as they become history-makers around the world. Congratulations, Class of 2025! Written by Student Reporter, Kenessa Washington (kenessa_washington@fitnyc.edu)
Fashion Business Management Professor Linda Kim will present her solo exhibition, titled #GODSPEAKS, at the Hongik Museum of Art (HOMA), Hongik Museum of Art, 2F, Hongmungwan Building, Hongik University (94 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul), from June 4 to 8, 2025. Combining rainbow-themed tufting, printed text, and embroidery, #GODSPEAKS explores themes of divine presence and personal revelation. Through textile-based artworks and garments, Professor Kim shares a deeply spiritual and introspective narrative drawn from her life journey. The SUNY Korea community is warmly invited to attend this special exhibition from Wednesday, June 4, 2025 to Sunday, June 8, 2025. The exhibition runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday to Saturday, and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. Professor Kim will give a special Artist Talk on Saturday, June 7, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The SUNY Korea Quad was filled with excitement and energy as people gathered for the SUNY Korea Spring Festival, “Young, Wild, & Free,” which took place on Friday, May 23. The annual spring event served as a rich celebration of youth, creativity, and community. Kicking off at 3 p.m., the festival grounds came alive with interactive booths hosted by various student organizations. Activities ranged from paint-by-numbers mural painting to a shoe toss, mini-putt challenge, and more. Students also served refreshing food and drinks, including bingsu (a Korean shaved ice dessert), jeon (Korean pancakes), and lemonade. All booths were designed to engage visitors while promoting student-led initiatives. A standout event at the festival was the student-organized fashion show led by the Natural Dyeing Garden Club (NDGC), which showcased sustainable garments created by FIT students using naturally dyed fabrics. Students modeled these pieces down the runway to a backdrop of alternative electronic music. A set design featuring caution tape and distressed fabric emphasized the show’s central theme: “Dystopian Manifesto.” As the sun set, the festival's main stage lit up with engaging performances that captivated the crowd. The evening began with student performances from dance teams EMEIS and GLO, along with live music by student bands DYNAMICS and White Chamber. As night fell, the professional musical lineup took over, featuring some of Korea’s top artists and rising stars: LeeHi, known for her soulful vocals and emotional ballads, had the audience singing and swaying in unison. LUCY, a youthful band, showcased their fresh and vibrant rock-pop sound with a performance that left the audience energized. 1chika delivered a mesmerizing performance that highlighted his vocal skills and emotive style. The “Young, Wild, & Free” Spring Festival was a joyful celebration and a reflection of SUNY Korea’s dynamic campus culture. Through student creativity, exciting performances, and shared school spirit, the festival created lasting memories for all in attendance. As finals loom, the event served as a timely reminder to students of the strong and supportive community they share on SUNY Korea’s campus. Written by Student Reporter, Isabella Cruz (isabella_cruz1@fitnyc.edu)
On May 14, 2025, Professor Gayoung Park, from the Department of Technology and Society, delivered a special lecture at Coffee & Connection 2025, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Korea at the GM Technical Center Korea (GMTCK) in Incheon. The event, themed “Leading the Way: Heritage & Future of Women Leadership,” brought together professionals from various industries to explore DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and leadership. The event was made even more meaningful by the attendance of Michelle Gardner, Vice President at General Motors, who delivered the keynote speech and fireside chat. Professor Park’s special lecture followed this main session. In her talk, “Women Bridging Futures: Leadership with Accountability – Building Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI,“ Professor Park shared how human-centered design, empathy, and accountability can reshape leadership in the age of AI. Reflecting on her journey as an engineer, she discussed how leadership in the age of AI means connecting across disciplines, building bridges between people and systems, and co-designing futures with a strong sense of responsibility. Her message offered a deep insight about how engineers are not just builders of systems, but bridge-builders of meaning, ethics, and human connection, fulfilling a growing need for responsible, inclusive leadership as we design the future with AI.
The 2025 IGC Research Showcase was held on May 16 in the IGC Auditorium, bringing together approximately 300 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professors from all four universities on the Incheon Global Campus (IGC). Participants shared their innovative research through poster exhibitions, presentations, and panel discussions. Among the six awarded teams, the first and second place were claimed by SUNY Korea’s Mechanical Engineering students: Team OneDirection and Team YASRIC First place was awarded to Team OneDirection, comprising of team members Hyoungdong Jin, Aung Ko Khant, Geonwoo Kim, Sunjae Lee, and Yousung Doh. Their project, titled "Directional Audio System for Private Listening Environments Using Resonant Acoustic Damping," focused on delivering sound with high spatial precision while minimizing acoustic leakage. “Our research is centered on creating a directional audio system that provides private listening experiences in shared spaces like libraries and museums,” the team explained. “A key feature is the integration of a passive damping system—specifically, a Helmholtz resonator—embedded in a chair to enhance acoustic performance.” Second place went to Team YASRIC, consisting of Junhyeong Park, Sungwook Choi, Joonhyeong Kim, and Sunghoon Jeong. Their project, "Bulletproof Shield for Urban Counterterrorism Operations with Automatic Movement and Intelligent Target Detection," introduced a robotic system designed for high-risk urban missions. The system includes specialized tracks for stair climbing, a manipulator arm for transporting explosives, and an adjustable tilting bulletproof shield that protects operatives. Its "follow-me" function autonomously tracks the pointman, while AI-driven firearm and facial recognition capabilities enhance operational efficiency and safety. The IGC Research Showcase served as a valuable platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and academic networking among SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, Ghent University Global Campus, and the University of Utah Asia Campus
Sign up for SUNY Korea’s monthly newsletter to receive updates on campus life and important announcements directly in your inbox.
Do you have a story to share? The External Relations Team is keen to hear. Stories will be considered for publicity on the SUNY Korea website and social media channels. We appreciate your ideas and feedback and will endeavor to follow-up with the submission through email.