CNU Commencement Address
Dr. Kang Jung-chae, President
February 25, 2005
Dear honorable guests, members of the 2004 graduating class, their
parents, and all of the Yongbong family members who love CNU!
Thank you for attending this ceremony. I am so delighted to be
here with honorable guests from all over the country, the members
of the 2004 graduating class, their families and friends, and CNU
staff and faculty members, for the 53rd Winter Commencement. The
young people, who are our children, our students, and our juniors
in school, are now ready to take their first steps into the new
world in order to make flowers of their dreams and intelligence
bloom. I wish to congratulate you, the members of the 2004 graduating
class. 3,315 bachelor degree awardees, 694 masters, and 170 doctors!
Your dedicated work has come to a successful conclusion and we celebrate
it with loud applause.
Dear CNU graduates families and friends presenting in this glorious
place!
Your proud sons and daughters are the leaders of a new age. The
world order and our political and social status are changing every
day. We know the fact so well that the power causing the changes
are flown out from the youth you have and we have witnessed it.
When you make efforts to develop yourselves continuously, you shall
be the leaders of this age. The one thing that you have to do for
your new start in your life is the self-development. The reality
you will face in your new social lives may become an ordeal or difficulties
for you to go through. I ask you to confront the adverse situations
fairly and boldly with your hot youth, cool intelligence, and unbroken
idealism.
The social changes into the information-based society and globalized
society , where the global village becomes a single community, are
calling for our more independent capabilities and open-minded thinking.
To cope with these changes independently, you should not be lazy
in searching for a new paradigm and creating one for yourselves.
CNU has made a commitment to preparing a flight into a new vision
of knowledge-based community towards the world . As the University
had made its efforts, I expect all of you to exert yourselves for
the happiness of the world and the human beings on the basis of
your experiences here.
Proud graduates of the class of 2004!
You are the pride of our local society and the hope of our nation.
You are much indebted to your parents and brothers. You have grown
up under the protection of the local community. You have expanded
your intelligence with the firm belief of the nation and the people.
Now it is time to return your favor for the expectation and hopes.
I ask you to take the lead in serving the local community and in
realizing the national ideal as specialists in specific study fields
and intellectuals with practical perspectives, not satisfying with
your personal success. This is the responsibility you have to fulfill
and the way you can make CNU proud.
Under the new government policy for the development of local universities,
we at CNU are ready to start a project to be a world-class institution.
Your participations are crucial for the project to develop local
community based on the local university development. You have the
power to help those who are not swift or strong or wise to finish
the race. You have a responsibility not only to persevere in your
personal life, but also to help the people around you. You can face
the challenges of this society with your optimism, and you can tackle
adversity among our people with your knowledge. You can change the
world around you for the better, if you are determined enough to
move through the obstacles. No one can correspond to the demands
of the society as fast as you can. You are the right ones to confront
the social and national tasks as leaders.
My beloved graduates!
You are also the symbols of CNU. The University has grown up to
be a world-class university with its fifty years of history. In
every aspect including faculty members research achievements, students
competitiveness, and modernization of university systems, CNU has
watched the development, which could be achieved through CNU alumni s
incessant interests and concerns over the University.
For the last fifty years, CNU has been breathing with the distressing
modern history of Korea. Your seniors have played important roles
in various areas of our society such as politics, social service,
economics, and culture, even though they were under the difficult
situations. They have also given assistance for the development
of CNU for the period. We have a firm determination to come to grips
with the needs of the times on the basis of the splendid tradition
that our graduates have established. We want to maintain the unique
bonds which were formed between us over these past years and foster
their growth for your and for our benefit. Your support of CNU,
financially, physically, and spiritually, is all important to keeping
the institution at its premier status. I hope you will find time
to encourage others, keep in touch with your professors, provide
job opportunities for the graduates who follow you, attend campus
events, and tell others how truly magnificent this distinctive institution
really is.
CNU graduates!
Let me congratulate you again on your honorable degree acquisitions
and your new step into the world. We will watch you leave CNU as
our proud members and we will further endeavor to be your proud
school at any moments. Although you, the graduates, are leaving
us today, please do not forget you are always a member of Yongbongians
and pay your continuous attention to CNU. Again, congratulations
and best wishes to each of you and thanks to the distinguished guests,
the families and sponsors who are here with you today. Thank you.
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