The Incheon Global Campus Auditorium was filled with excitement and anticipation on June 19th as SUNY Korea celebrated its Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Graduates, families, faculty, staff, and guests gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the graduating class and reflect on the journeys that brought them to this milestone.
During the opening ceremony, SUNY Korea President Dr. Arthur H. Lee delivered the commencement address, reflecting on both the achievements of the graduating class and the university's development over the past 14 years. This spring, SUNY Korea awarded 203 degrees, including 108 bachelor's degrees, 9 master's degrees and 1 doctoral degree from SBU, and 85 associate degrees from FIT. President Lee also noted that students from 72 countries have studied at SUNY Korea since its founding, with this year's graduates representing 12 different nationalities. Among those recognized were five graduates from the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program. As the program's first graduating class, their recognition represented an important milestone for one of SUNY Korea's newest academic departments.
The ceremony then welcomed a special guest, Dr. Andrea Goldsmith, President of Stony Brook University. Making her first visit to SUNY Korea since becoming Stony Brook's seventh president, Dr. Goldsmith congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to stay open to unexpected opportunities and to view their careers and lives as journeys that may not always follow a planned path.
One of the ceremony's most memorable moments came later in her address. After acknowledging the many people who had supported the graduates throughout their academic journeys, Dr. Goldsmith invited students to express their appreciation. The auditorium quickly filled with applause and cheers as graduates thanked their families, friends, professors, and mentors.
The event also included a congratulatory video message from Jason Schupbach, President of the Fashion Institute of Technology, who offered words of encouragement and best wishes to the graduating class as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for students to address their fellow graduates. Representing the SBU graduating class, valedictorian Seohee Maeng of the Technology and Society program reflected on the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shaped students throughout their time at SUNY Korea. FIT valedictorian Margaret Felice Manucat, a Fashion Business Management major, also shared remarks celebrating perseverance, personal growth, and the opportunities that await graduates beyond the university.
As the ceremony drew to a close, degrees were officially conferred and graduates crossed the stage to receive recognition for their academic achievements. For many students and their families, it marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another, bringing the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony to a memorable close. Congratulations to all members of the Spring 2026 graduating class. On behalf of the SUNY Korea community, we wish you success and fulfillment in the journeys ahead.
Written by Student Reporter, Temirlan Gubashev (Temirlan.gubashev@stonybrook.edu)
“A dream is not a job title, it is a vision of who you want to become.” On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, SUNY Korea held the SUNY Korea Distinguished Seminar, hosting Sejin Kim, a SUNY Korea Business Management alumnus. Having pursued various paths such as paralympic swimmer, Asia’s first game accessibility specialist, and adaptive fashion model, Sejin Kim shared his story of growing up in a world which seemed determined to keep him down. Sejin Kim&rsq
SUNY Korea participated in GMTCK AI Week 2026, held from October 14 to 15 at the Cheongna and Bupyeong facilities of GM Technical Center Korea (GMTCK), to present student and faculty research and engage with industry professionals. The theme of the GMTCK AI Week was “Beyond Awareness into Value. AI That Truly Works.” The event aimed to move beyond general awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) by sharing practical applications in business operations and research and de
What does intelligence mean in the age of AI? James Rhee, global business leader, acclaimed CEO, and bestselling author, returned to SUNY Korea for a special lecture titled “A Perspective on the Future of Intelligence Upon the Launch of the New HBS Case.” Following his previous visit in September 2025, Rhee returned to share his perspectives on the future of intelligence and the importance of human agency in an increasingly AI-driven world. Rhee is recognized for
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the SUNY Korea Career Development Center hosted the “AI for Career Decisions” workshop. Led by Dr. Joseph S. Cabuay from the Department of Technology, AI, and Society, this interactive workshop aimed to aid students seeking employment opportunities by exploring how to utilize artificial intelligence when making career decisions. The workshop led students across a systematic process consisting of four complementary steps: understanding the
SUNY Korea brought together alumni, university leadership, faculty, and staff for its inaugural Alumni Night on September 18, 2026. Held under the theme of “Connect, Engage, Grow,” the gathering offered an opportunity to renew friendships, build new connections, and help shape the future of the university’s alumni community. Over dinner and conversation, graduates reconnected with classmates and faculty and met fellow alumni from different programs and graduating cl