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UTS Hosts Dr. Sun Jo Hwang (UTS‘96)

BARRYTOWN, NY – On September 13th Dr. Hugh Spurgin, president of Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) welcomed Dr. Sun Jo Hwang, president of Sun Moon University (SMU) to the Barrytown campus.

Dr. Hwang, a 1996 graduate of UTS, has held his current position as president of SMU since March 2012. Under his leadership SMU has increased its enrollment to nearly 11,000 students with over 1100 foreign students from 85 countries, making SMU one of the leading universities in South Korea today.

Following an extensive tour of the campus, including dorm rooms, the chapel and the grounds, Dr. Hwang commented on how much work had been put into renovations to the building and how “surprised he was at how nice everything looked, and how so much had changed since I was a student here.”

The activity then moved to the Founders’ dining room where Bomi Lee, SMU’s coordinator for international programs, gave a presentation on the expanding student body and the overall growth of the university and its desire to cooperate with colleges in America.

Upon conclusion of the presentation, Dr. Spurgin, Dr. Hwang, and Dr. Michael Mickler, vice-president of finance and administration, spoke openly of each one’s desire to find ways to work together.

With that in mind, and with their sights set on the futures of both UTS and SMU, President Spurgin and President Hwang signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signifying their commitment to continue to work together.

The Memorandum of Understanding states that:

  • Sun Moon University and UTS are mutually interested in exploring cooperation in education, research and cultural exchange.
  • Both institutions of higher education will develop educational programs and activities of cooperation between their students, faculty members and departments and research institute.
  • The possible educational programs and activities between the two institutions of higher education may include:
    • Development of joint courses and educational programs.
    • Transfer of credits for courses
    • Exchange of students for study and research.
    • Exchange of professors and researchers
    • The exchange of research publications
    • Joint conferences, seminars and workshops.
    • Joint student activities.

The informative and productive meeting ended with a wonderful luncheon catered by the kitchen staff of the Barrytown Conference Center.