Hartwick College Professor Emeritus of Political Science Sugwon Kang has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at Sogang University, Seoul, Korea during the 2008-09 academic year, according to the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Kang will teach courses in American history and government on a 10-month engagement starting September 1 and concluding at the end of June. Kang is one of approximately 800 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
"I have for many years wanted to spend a year or a semester teaching at a university in Korea, hoping to make peace with my conscience as a native son who didn't return home after finishing his studies in the United States," Kang said. "Guest lectures at universities on my brief visits to Korea over the years were always pleasant, but guest lectures aren't quite the same as teaching. Now I get to teach for a full academic year, and I find the prospect most gratifying. Now I get to teach for a full academic year, and I find the prospect most gratifying. We outgoing Fulbright scholars are expected to represent our country as 'cultural ambassadors,' while doing whatever it is we're sent abroad to do. I find that idea a bit intimidating but am looking forward to the challenge with anticipation, prepared to do my very best."
Kang is the 20th member of the Hartwick community to be named a Fulbright Scholar, joining recent alumni Erik Wallace '07 and Brianna Draper '07 as the latest in the large and growing group of Hartwick people recognized by Fulbright.
The Fulbright Program, America's flagship international educational exchange program, is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 279,500 people--105,400 Americans--who have studied, taught, or researched abroad, and 174,100 students, scholars, and teachers from other countries who have engaged in similar activities in the United States--with the opportunity to observe each others' political, economic, educational, and cultural institutions, to exchange ideas and to embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world's inhabitants. The Program operates in over 150 countries worldwide.
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. Among the thousands of prominent Fulbright alumni are Muhammad Yunus, managing director and founder, Grameen Bank, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006; Javier Solana, foreign policy chief, European Union; Ruth Simmons, president, Brown University; Craig Barrett, chairman of the board, Intel Corporation; Shamshad Akhtar, the first woman to hold the position of governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Mohamed Benaissa, minister for foreign affairs, Morocco; Raoul Cantero, justice, Florida Supreme Court; Renee Fleming, soprano; Gish Jen, writer; Daniel Libeskind, architect; Aneesh Raman, CNN Middle East correspondent; and Robert Shaye, co-chairman and co-CEO, New Line Cinema.
Fulbright recipients are among more than 30,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. For more than 60 years, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has supported programs that seek to promote mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.
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Hartwick College is a private liberal arts and sciences college of 1,480 students, located in Oneonta, NY in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick's expansive curriculum emphasizes connecting the classroom to the world. Through personalized teaching, collaborative research, a unique January Term, a wide range of internships, and limitless study-abroad opportunities, Hartwick ensures that students are prepared for the world ahead. Strong financial aid and scholarship programs keep a Hartwick education affordable.
Contact: Christopher Lott
E-mail: lottc@hartwick.edu
Phone: 607-431-4030
