Honoring Their Late Youngest Son... Couple Donates 100 Million Won to Son's Alma Mater

National Changwon University Donates 100 Million KRW to University Development Fund
Changwon University Awards Honorary Degree to Mr. Son

A story has been shared about a couple who donated 100 million KRW as a university development fund to their late youngest son's alma mater after he suddenly passed away.

The late Son Seong-hyeok during his lifetime. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 8th, the National Changwon University held the 'Late Son Seong-hyeok Student University Development Fund Donation Ceremony' at the university headquarters. This was because Son Seong-hyeok's parents recently donated 100 million KRW to the university development fund. Son Seong-hyeok, who was admitted to the Department of Business Administration in 2019, was the youngest son born to his father, Son Myeong-dong (61), when he was 38 years old. However, Son Seong-hyeok suddenly passed away from cardiac arrest last December during the winter vacation period while working on self-development and job preparation. It was reported that his father, Son Myeong-dong, was deeply shocked and lost his appetite for a while after losing his son so tragically.

Despite their great sorrow over losing their son who was their whole world, the Son Myeong-dong couple began to look for something they could do for him. After much consideration, they thought about the place their son loved the most besides home, and as a result, decided to donate 100 million KRW as a university development fund to their alma mater, National Changwon University. National Changwon University decided to honor the noble intention of Son Seong-hyeok, who was an excellent student, and his parents. The donation ceremony was attended by the late student's parents, Park Min-won, president of National Changwon University, faculty and staff, as well as Son Seong-hyeok’s classmates and seniors and juniors from the Department of Business Administration.

Son Myeong-dong said, "Although my son could not fully realize his dreams at university, my wife and I decided to donate the university development fund for National Changwon University students and the university who strive with the same passion toward their dreams as our son did. We are grateful to everyone at the university and intend to continue raising the university development fund in the future."

At the donation ceremony, a commemorative tree planting ceremony was held, and an honorary diploma was also awarded to Son Seong-hyeok. It is known that Son Seong-hyeok is the first student to receive an honorary diploma from National Changwon University. President Park said, "Mr. Son, the father of Seong-hyeok, is a person with a strong heart," and added, "Taking this opportunity, I will resolve to run the school centered on the students, like Mr. Son."