From the 13th to the 19th, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) President Yang O-bong and Choi Byung-seon, Chairman of the JBNU Alumni Association, who visited the United States, met with JBNU alumni active in the country and pledged close cooperation for the success of the Glocal University 30 initiative and the advancement of their alma mater.

In particular, JBNU, which has declared a fundraising campaign of KRW 7.7 billion to mark its 77th anniversary this year, plans to strengthen ties with U.S. alumni to encourage overseas donations and to enhance the substance of this year's World Economic Leaders Conference.

During the visit, President Yang met with Choi Byung-seon, Chairman of the JBNU Alumni Association, Secretary-General Lee Jae-jun and others, and held a variety of discussions with Park Byung-gi, President of the JBNU New York–New Jersey Alumni Association, and alumni in the United States, requesting their interest in and alumni association–level support for the Glocal University 30 initiative promoted by the alma mater.

Representatives of the New York alumni association welcomed President Yang and the delegation and pledged to further activate the overseas alumni network and to take active interest in and participate in the university's initiatives, including the Glocal University 30 project and the KRW 7.7 billion fundraising campaign for the 77th anniversary.

The delegation also visited Dr. Kwon Jin-ho (a graduate of the JBNU College of Veterinary Medicine, Class 37), director of Brookhaven Animal Hospital in Philadelphia, to express gratitude for his donation to the development fund last year and to pledge continued close cooperation for the advancement of the alma mater.

In October of last year, Dr. Kwon donated KRW 100 million to support the university's development and to improve the educational environment for students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. During this visit, Dr. Kwon agreed to invite veterinary students to the hospital to provide clinical training opportunities. To facilitate this, the JBNU College of Veterinary Medicine designated Brookhaven Animal Hospital as a clinical training center and held a plaque‑unveiling ceremony.

In addition, the JBNU College of Veterinary Medicine and Brookhaven Animal Hospital signed an official memorandum of understanding during the visit, and JBNU presented Dr. Kwon with a letter of appointment naming him an invited professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

On the day, Dr. Kwon said that when he went to the United States to become a veterinarian, he received great help from his alma mater and seniors, and he promised to continue providing support and attention to help younger colleagues who share the same dream.

The delegation also traveled to Los Angeles to meet with 12 alumni, including Lee Sang-baek, President of the LA Alumni Association, and held various discussions requesting interest in and alumni association–level support for the Glocal University 30 initiative. On that day, the Chairman of the JBNU Alumni Association presented Lee Sang-baek, President of the LA Alumni Association, with a Special Overseas Alumni Award, and Choi Byung-seon received a plaque of appreciation from the LA alumni association.

Lee Sang-baek, President of the LA Alumni Association, said, 'I feel the weight of responsibility in receiving such a major award. I will work even harder for the advancement of our alma mater and the alumni association. I will arrange opportunities for the JBNU Alumni Association and the New York–New Jersey and LA alumni associations to contribute to the development of the alma mater through mutual exchange.' He also added that he would support attendance by many alumni businesspeople at the World Economic Leaders Conference to be held at JBNU in October and hoped that JBNU alumni active around the world would have opportunities to visit the alma mater through that event.

In addition, LA alumni pledged to participate in the annual golf tournament hosted by the JBNU Alumni Association to help the event grow into a global tournament, and promised interest and support for the KRW 7.7 billion development fund campaign commemorating the university's 77th anniversary.

President Yang said, 'I was able to reaffirm the strong bonds with alumni active overseas as members of the JBNU community. Through continued exchanges with many overseas alumni, we will strive to further grow JBNU as it celebrates its 77th anniversary this year.'

Choi Byung-seon, Chairman of the JBNU Alumni Association, said, 'I am pleased to visit alumni who remain active in the United States and who never forget their alma mater, and to discuss various forms of support and development plans for the university. We will continue to expand networks so that alumni associations active not only domestically but around the world can develop together with the alma mater.'