Founded in 1952, Chonnam National University (CNU) has reached its 60th anniversary on June 9th. CNU is celebrating it by organizing diverse programs and commemorative events to introduce the history and activities of the university for 60 years. You can see the events and facilities to commemorate CNU’s 60-year long history everywhere on campus. A commemorative sculpture will be built next to the Korea Basic Science Institutetowards the College of Pharmacy.
    The opening ceremony of University History Museum and a special exhibition will be held on June 20th at the Museum — where the previous Institute Lifelong Education was located. . Jang Chun-seok, director of the CNU Museum said, “Other universities already have a memorial hall that shows their own history. This History Museum has a great meaning as the first place which shows our school’s history at a look. And it makes CNUians have more attachment to the school because of its location where are the former University Administration building and the Yongbong Tower. They are our university symbol.”
It is one of the most important to record the 60 years’ history of CNU. The Administration formed in 2009 the CNU 60th Year History Compilation Committee consisting of professors of different colleges to publish “The 60 years of CNU History” this year. There were yearbooks to commemorate the opening of 30 years and 50 years of CNU history, but the 60th Year History book is differentiated from them in that it talks about historical facts did not mentioned in the previous history books. Professor Kim Dong-su, chairperson of the compilation committee, said, “The meaning of 60 years seems to be a novelty. In the past, it is not a usual case that people reach the age of sixty. So it could be a stroke comparing our university history to human’s life.” The 60th anniversary compilation has a sub-headline “Retrospect and Introspect” - looking back and moving forward. It will be at the History Museum and dedicated to the past and future history of CNU.
Various exhibitions also have held for 60th anniversary on campus. One of them is a photo exhibition held by the CNU Public Relations Department. It exhibits CNU-related pictures by The CNU Weekly and and Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Press Photojournalists Association. It will showcase CNU’s vivid 60-year long history. Kim Tae-kyeong (Sophomore, School of Economics) said, “In my case, this opportunity I looked back the history our university is meaningful via photo. I could know the past a little. And I’m expecting other various 60th anniversary events, too.” It have held administration building first floor from May 25th to June 10th and in the Student Union Building 1 from June 11th to June 15th. Also CNU opens Yongbong Forum for university development with various subjects. This Yongbong forum invites a guest speaker Son Seung-hwan who is a producer of NANTA, on May 30th. He lectures about producing NANTA and entering to the world at Yongbong Hall. The 60th anniversary homepage is being constructed. It provides images of 60 years history. By logging-in the CNU portal, everyone can participate in the online event from April 23rd to June 8th.
This 60th anniversary has important meaning as Director Jang said, “Looking back history is not for only retrospect. It notices us present. Furthermore, it suggests a future.” CNUians — students, faculty and staff members — need to have more love of our school and learn about our school history from this time. Then, CNU could enhance the school’s position as a cradle of education and democratization.
By Kim So-jeong, Tribune reporter
저작권자 © Chonnam Tribune 무단전재 및 재배포 금지