2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

---

Jung Uck Seo Gives $10,000 Gift to International Programs

Announced: June 18, 2007

Dr. Jung Uck Seo

Dr. Jung Uck Seo '63, a member of the Texas A&M International Board recently gave a $10,000 gift to International Programs at Texas A&M. Seo, the former Minister of Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea, recently visited Texas A&M to speak to the Korean/Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association. Interim Texas A&M President Eddie Joe Davis said Texas A&M is very fortunate to have the best former students of any University in the world.

"Our former students are some of our greatest assets," Davis said upon hearing the news of the gift. "Dr. Seo has been exceptional in the resources he has donated to this University, both in terms of time and financial support."

Giving is not an unusual practice for Seo. In September of 1996, Seo, then president of Korea Mobile Telecom initiated a $250,000 endowment by SK Group to support education efforts of the International Programs Office. In 1999, he provided the lead gift of $10,000 to start the Tina Watkins Scholarship fund for international students.

In a news release at that time of the Tina Watkins gift Seo said, "When I was at Texas A&M in the 1960s, I gained not only knowledge from my alma mater, but also the Aggie Spirit. Based on this spirit Aggies always help each other. I am not a rich man, but I wanted to return whatever I owe to Texas A&M. And I wanted to do something that would be good for other international Aggies."

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Jerry Strawser said this was very good news.

"I am excited about of the support of international program efforts at Texas A&M by such an distinguished former student from Korea," Strawser said. "Dr. Seo sets a high standard for others to follow"

Seo earned two degrees in electrical engineering from Texas A&M: a master's degree in 1963 and a doctoral degree in 1969. He holds several patents, has published numerous technical papers and was decorated by the Republic of Korea's government with the Distinguished Service Award and the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest industrial decoration in Korea. He has also served two terms as president of the Seoul A&M Club.

In 1996, Seo received the Texas A&M University Outstanding International Alumnus Award and was invited to delivered the commencement address to the Texas A&M class of 1999. In his address Seo said, "Today, globalization has progressed to such an extent that what happens anywhere can matter everywhere." He said then that graduates should commit to cooperating with others and Jung Uck Seo is a man who provides an example to follow.

Emily Ashworth, associate vice president for International Programs said that Seo has been tremendously supportive of International Programs at Texas A&M.

"He has served on the Texas A&M International Board since the fall of 2001 and has taken his role on the board seriously," Ashworth said. We are honored that he has chosen to support our programs again and again."

---