Graduate School of Economics Holds '2020 Sogang Economics Grand Prize Award Ceremony' and ‘Sogang Economics Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony'

 ▲ (From the left) Administrative Bureau Manager Lee Gyu-hwa, Professor Ahn Taehyun, Inspector Kim Hong-gi, Alumnus Gu Ja-gwan, Alumnus Lee Ju-tae, Operation Bureau Manager Cheon Gum-pil, Alumni Association President Jo Tae-hyeon, Professor Song E Young, CEO Kim Hae-kyung, and Dean Kwark Noh-Sun

The '2020 Sogang Economics Grand Prize Award Ceremony’ and ‘Sogang Economics Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony' were held at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 13, in Room 101 of Geppert-Nam Duck Woo Hall. Planned as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of permission being granted to establish the Graduate School of Economics, the events were held with a limited number of members as a precaution to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

The Sogang Graduate School of Economics Alumni Association (Chairman Jo Tae-hyeon) awarded Professor Song E Young of the School of Economics for the '2020 Sogang Economics Grand Prize' in the Academic and Teaching Field, and CEO Kim Hae-kyung of KB Credit Information Co., KB Financial Group, in the Society and Alumni Field. The Sogang Economics Grand Prize, marking its tenth in 2020, is an annual award given out to professors with active research activities and remarkable academic achievements as well as to social and economic professionals with contributions to the national economy.

The award ceremony was attended by Dean Kwark Noh-Sun of the Graduate School of Economics, Chairman Jo Tae-hyeon of the Graduate School of Economics Alumni Association, and other major members of the Graduate School of Economics. The award winners, Professor Song E Young and CEO Kim Hae-kyung, received the prizes and shared comments on the awards.

Professor Song E Young graduated from the Department of Economics, Seoul National University, received a Ph.D. in Economics from the Graduate School of Harvard University, and made distinguished research achievements in the field of international economics while teaching future talent in the same field. Having served as Director of the Korea International Economic Association and Commissioner of the Financial Development Committee, Professor Song currently serves as the Chief Civic Commissioner at the Financial Services Commission. Professor Song said, "I am honored to be award the Sogang Economics Grand Prize. Thank you for such an honorable prize, and I'd like to ask the Graduate School of Economics for continued support in the future."

CEO Kim Hae-kyung, who graduated from Sogang Graduate School of Economics in 2001 with an M.A. in international economics, is a remarkable female finance specialist. She entered Kookmin Bank in 1978 and became the first female CEO of KB Financial Group. Having served as the head of the Individual Marketing Headquarters and Northern Region Headquarters for KB Kookmin Bank, CEO Kim was appointed as CEO of KB Credit Information Co.. CEO Kim said, "I reflect on the time I first came to the Graduate School of Economics in 1999. Receiving such an honorable prize has revived those memories. I will show more affection and interest in the Graduate School of Economics and will do my best to play a respectable role.“

The award ceremony was followed by the 'Sogang Economics Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony’. The Hall of Fame was created to publicize the remarkable contributions and performances of Sogang Graduate School of Economics alumni and to inspire pride in Sogang members specializing in the field of economics. For the Sogang Economics Hall of Fame, Mr. Lee Ju-tae (Alumni of the first), Sung Dae-Young (Alumni of the 31st), and Gu Ja-gwan (Alumni of the 37th) were selected. The signboard for the Hall of Fame is displayed opposite the Administration Team, where students pass most frequently, adding significance for these figures as model senior economic professionals.

Alumnus Lee Ju-tae is currently the CEO of Mido Corporation, with an extensive history of awards, including the Silver Tower and Tin Tower of the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, and National Order of Vietnam. He served as President of the Korea Importers Association, Vice President of the Korea International Trade Association, and Commissioner of the Korea Trade Commission. He also taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of International Business and Trade at Kyung Hee University for 10 years, with various contributions to economic development, serving as Vice President for the Korea Trade Research Association.

Alumnus Sung Dae-Young performs a wide range of contributions as CEO of Withus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seokkyung Medical Foundation. His past career highlights include roles as Director of the Korea Distribution Association, CEO of Hanbit Pharmacy, Vice President of the Korea-Mongolia Economic Association, and as an adjunct professor at Namseoul University.

Alumnus Gu Ja-gwan is demonstrating an exemplary businessman’s status as CEO of Samkoo Inc. and Chairman of Dosan Academy. He has served as Chairman of the Korea Human Resource Service Industry Association (KOHRSIA) and Chairman of Korea Security Association (KSAN), with awards including the Korea Creative Manager Award and Dongbaeg Medal of the Order of Civil Merit.

▲ (From the left) Alumnus Gu Ja-gwan, Alumnus Sung Dae-Young and the Hall of Fame Display