Donation Driven by Passion for Learning and Regret Over Not Having Children
Chungbuk National University Establishes 'Sin Eonim Scholarship' to Support Students
Shin Eon-im, known as the 'Mother of Chungbuk National University,' who donated her lifelong savings earned as a street vendor to Chungbuk National University, has passed away at the age of 91.
Shin Eon-im, who donated 5.13 billion KRW of her lifetime savings to Chungbuk National University, passed away on the 19th. [Image source=Chungbuk National University]
On the 19th, Chungbuk National University and others announced that Shin Eon-im passed away at 4:40 a.m. In 1993, Shin donated real estate worth approximately 3.3 billion KRW to Chungbuk National University. Despite having only completed elementary school, she was known as a 'miser' and had accumulated her wealth over 30 years through street vending and peddling.
Later, in September 2011, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Chungbuk National University, she donated 1.03 billion KRW, and in December 2018, she generously gave her remaining assets of 800 million KRW. The total scholarship funds she donated from her own assets amount to 5.13 billion KRW.
Born in 1932 as the fifth of eight siblings in a poor farming family, Shin Eon-im had a difficult childhood. She persuaded her father to allow her to enroll late in elementary school, graduating at the age of 18. She then worked at the Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation and married at 22, but lost her husband at a young age and was left alone. She thereafter worked tirelessly in business to save money.
It is said that Shin’s philanthropic activities were driven by her lifelong passion for learning, which she was unable to pursue, and her regret at not having children. She expressed her wish to consider all Chungbuk National University students as her own daughters and sons, stating, "Even after death, I want to be with Chungbuk National University where many children study."
In accordance with her wishes, Chungbuk National University established the 'Shin Eon-im Scholarship' to support students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. The auditorium of the lifelong education center, newly built in 2015, was named 'Shin Eon-im Hall.'
In addition, Shin was active in various local community organizations, helping those in need.
Shin Eon-im reportedly passed away after battling renal failure. It is known that she has nephews and nieces as surviving relatives. Her funeral hall is set up at Chungbuk National University Hospital. The funeral will be held as a 'Chungbuk National University Funeral,' chaired by President Ko Chang-seop of Chungbuk National University. The funeral procession will take place at 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd, followed by a memorial service in the main lecture hall of Chungbuk National University on the same day. She will be laid to rest in the educational benefactor’s family burial ground within Chungbuk National University.
Chungbuk National University expressed its condolences, stating, "We mourn the late Kang Jeong Shin Eon-im, the 'Mother of Chungbuk National University,' who practiced great virtue by donating her entire fortune of 5.13 billion KRW, which she saved through a lifetime of frugality, as a scholarship fund."
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