Dong-A University marks 80th anniversary, revisiting its founding spirit of “education to save the nation”

[Financial News] Dong-A University held a commemorative event to mark its 80th anniversary, looking back on the university’s history and achievements and pledging to take a new leap forward.
Dong-A University said it held the “Ceremony Marking the Establishment of the Dong-A Haksuk Foundation and the 80th Anniversary of Dong-A University” on the 30th at Dau Hall on its Bumin Campus, with faculty and staff, foundation representatives, alumni and award recipients in attendance.
In his commemorative address, President Lee Hae-woo said, “Dong-A University, which took its first steps in 1946 in the spirit of ‘education to save the nation,’ has now reached the meaningful milestone of its 80th anniversary. Let us build Dong-A’s future together, taking pride in being part of Dong-A and leaping beyond our region onto the world stage.”
Jeong Hwi-wi, chair of the Dong-A Haksuk Foundation, reflected on the educational philosophy of the founder, Seokdang Jeong Jae-hwan, and the university’s founding spirit.
Chair Jeong said, “As our university has shared its proud history in depth through documentaries and other means for its 80th anniversary, I will have today’s ceremony take the form of a reading of the statement of purpose, which encapsulates the educational philosophy of our founder, Seokdang Jeong Jae-hwan.” He then reflected on the roots of the university’s founding 80 years ago.
He then read the statement of purpose, conveying the founder’s conviction: “We establish an educational institution to rebuild the nation as a prosperous country and advance its culture.”
A total of 40 people—including faculty and staff, alumni and students who contributed to the university’s development and enhanced its reputation—received various awards at the ceremony.
The Proud Dong-A Person Award, presented to alumni who have enhanced their alma mater’s reputation in various fields of society, went to Kang Bu-bong, commander of the Army Science-Based Combat Training Center, and Chai Yang-gan, chief attorney at Zhejiang Kaije Law Firm in China.
The Seokdang Academic Award, given to faculty members whose outstanding research has contributed to the university’s development, went to Hwang Yi-taek, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology. Professor Hwang focuses on food enzyme engineering and has published 24 papers in SCIE-indexed journals as corresponding author over the past five years.
The Dong-A Future Talent Award, presented to students who enhance the university’s reputation and brighten its future, went to Yang Seung-an, a fourth-year student in the Department of Landscape Architecture. He won the grand prize at the 23rd Korea Environmental Landscape Architecture Grand Exhibition in 2026, among other awards.
In addition, Jeong Jin-woo, a professor in the Department of Medicine, and Lee Seok-hwan, a professor in the Department of Computer Engineering, received service awards. Na Jin-suk of the College of Engineering’s Administrative Support Office, Kim Yun-jin of the Academic Affairs Management Department, Park Sang-wook of the Admissions Management Department, Kang Hye-jin of the Accounting Department and Chu Sang-wook of the Construction Department were named recipients of outstanding staff awards.
Long-service awards were presented to faculty and staff who have served the university for many years.
Building on the founding spirit upheld over the past 80 years and its achievements in education and research, Dong-A University plans to use its 80th anniversary to strengthen its vision for a future in which it grows alongside the local community and makes a leap onto the world stage.
[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter