1.MU Chancellor Deaton Received an Honorary Ph. D.
Brady Deaton, Chancellor of University of Missouri-Columbia, received an honorary
doctorate from Chonnam National University. The granting ceremony was held at Yongbong Hall on May 20. After the ceremony, Dr. Deaton gave a commemorative speech with the title of ‘Global Imperative for the 21st Century.’ During the speech, Dr. Deaton stressed multiculturalism and continuing education based on the efforts to understand the rapidly-changing world and different cultures, saying that Internationalization does not mean Westernization, or Americanization through integrating other cultures into the States or making them assimilate into American culture. Chancellor Deaton took a doctorate in Agricultural Economics at University of Wisconsin, and has been contributing to spread multiculturalism and social reform, serving as a professor at University of Missouri-Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and University of Tennessee for 33 years.
2.Hong Seok-cheon, an Ex-TV Star, Gave a Speech on “Human Rights and Peace”
Hong Seok-cheon, once a popular TV star, delivered a speech on the subject of "Human Rights and Peace" at the Auditorium of College of Humanities at 3 o'clock on May 16th. Being invited by the Student Preparation Committee for the May Festival, Mr. Hong regretted to say that he had enjoyed popularity before coming out, but had been treated like a worm right after the incident. He also criticized the current climate of non-tolerance in Korea where the minorities, whether in terms of sexual orientation or in other contexts, were being persecuted for just being different. He, however, mentioned that he had no regrets on his decision to come out and vowed to fight against social biases, discrimination and conservatism in general. Hong stirred up the conservative Korean society by confessing that he was a homosexual and was one of “20 Young Asian Heroes" who had been appointed by the Time Magazine of Asian Edition in 2004.
3. CNU Launched School of Dentistry and College of Nursing
The School of Dentistry and College of Nursing were launched on the first of March. The School of Dentistry received 70 university graduates as its first freshmen this year. It introduced ‘4+4 System’ that is expected to enforce specialty education for 4 years on the subject of general university graduates, instead of the established ‘2+4 System’ that was divided into a preparatory course of 2 years and regular course of 4 years. The Main Office is constructing the clinical educational hall and hospital of dental surgery by the name of School of Dentistry Building 3 in Yongbong Campus. The construction will be completed in 2007. Oh Won-man, the first Dean of School of Dentistry, said, “We will devote all our energies to promote this big project, to improve the study force of professors, and to insure substantiality of professors.” The Department of Nursing, founded in 1971, is planning to secure international competitiveness for health medical service and the opening of the education market by taking the promotion to a college for good opportunity. Choi Soon-hee, the first Dean of College of Nursing, said, “We will introduce the system connecting the education of nursing and study performance and also we will endeavor to develop nursing education focused on a basics-oriented educational system.”
4. GSC Reorganized Flea Market of Used Books and Uri Miscellaneous Shop
GSC(General Student Council) at CNU renamed its ‘used book store’ and ‘rental center’ (which gained popularity among students last year) as ‘flea market of used books’ or ‘Uri miscellaneous shop,’ respectively. The GSC is going to expand this service for students’ convenience. The ‘flea market of used books’ is in service at the Office of Steering Committee for School Autonomy located on the 2nd floor of the Student Union I. In the market a variety of used books are available and exchangeable, and the culture events, book reading campaigns, lectures and open market will be held under the auspices of GSC.
On the other hand, ‘Uri miscellaneous shop’ will provide more expanded, upgraded services for the students by renting laptop computers, sports equipment, camcorders, digital cameras, amplifiers (equipment for amplification), and other appliances. GSC said, “We will reorganize the ‘flea market of used books’ and ‘Uri miscellaneous shop’ for the users and they can rent goods only by bringing Student ID card without any deposit.”