In 2021, Professor Kwon Oh-kyun (Civil Engineering) donated 100 million KRW to establish the firstscholarship fund for the “Keimyung Plus” initiative. This program allows donors who contribute over 50 million KRW to have their donation matched by the university, creating a substantial scholarship fund. Since Professor Kwon’s donation, others have followed suit, leading the fund to exceed 5 billion KRW in total within just two years. In recognition of his contributions, Professor Kwon was recently inducted into the Keimyung Bridge Honors Club, and we had a meaningful conversation with him.
Q : How do you feel about being inducted into theKeimyung BridgeHonors Club? It is a great honorto be part oftheBridge Honors Club as a member of the Keimyung community. I amespecially pleased to stand alongside others who make significant contributionsto ourschool and society, though I feel a strong sense of responsibility as well. I will continue to do my utmost from my position to support the growth of our school in whatever way I can.
Q : Whatled you to decide to donate? When I was a university student, I also faced financial difficulties as I moved from a rural area to Seoul for my studies. Thanks to the help of many people, I was able to overcome those challenges. This experience allowed me to empathize with the struggles of today’s students, and with a desire to be of even small help,I decided to make a donation. I hope the culture of giving continues to grow so that financially struggling students can focus on theirstudies without the burden oftuition and grow into outstanding talents who will represent our nation.
Q : Whatareyourthoughtsonthedirection our university should take as it celebrates its 125th anniversary? Our university, which started asJejungwon and now celebrates its 125th anniversary, has played a crucial role in nurturing exceptional talents across various fields, contributing significantly to the development of the local community. I believe that more outstanding talents will emerge from Keimyung to lead the community forward. Forthis to happen, every member of the Keimyung community must collaborate, committing even more dedication and effort. Q : Do you have any advice for students pursuing their dreams? In life, everyone encounters difficult moments. During those times, it’s important to believe in yourself and trust that you can overcome them. Hard work will eventually lead to positive outcomes, and tough times will pass. I hope students remember that what they’re studying now will serve an important role in society, and that they focus on preparing the skills they’ll need during their college years. Even when challenges arise, I encourage them to move forward with confidence and steadfastness in their path. 
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