As a professor at HGU, I often understand how busy Handong Students are. Of course, as a professor, I am part of the problem because I am one of the people who gives you assignments. However, I want to give you some encouragement and a warning as we come closer to final exams.
On the evening of May 22nd, Wheaton College had its black gospel choir visit our campus. Even though most of their performances these two weeks in Korea had been in Seoul and Busan, they though the relationship with HGU was important enough for them to add additional travel cost to their schedule and come visit with us. This event was hosted by the OIA office on campus, and Carmichael College provided snacks afterword. It was a wonderful event held in Hyoam Chapel, but it was very poorly attended.
I am concerned about the lack of attendance at this event by Handong students, especially as it is an event that provides different culture exposure. I am aware of excuses that students may have. First, students are busy; it is true. Second, the event was held in English. Let me respond to these objections.
To begin with, your time at Handong is a great time to be exposed to culture. After graduating, it will be much more difficult and expensive to attend some of these events. Family and work will get in the way. If I ever leave Handong, this will be something I will miss. As it is, I try to bring my family to some of these activities. Last semester when Michael Card and Dennis Jernigan came, very few students were familiar with them. There is a whole area of CCM music that would be good to be exposed to. Yes, students are busy. However, with better management of schedules, many of you would have been able to attend.
Second, there is a hesitation by students when events are in English. This is just something students need to get over. Sorry. This particular event even had some bilingual singing, and the PowerPoint had both English and Korean for every slide prepared. Often, Carmichael students feel cut off from the community and vice versa. Students from other RCs attending these events will help to bridge some of the gaps we have in our Handong Global University. Carmichael College, at times, may need to do things differently that the other RCs, but most of our students want to be more highly integrated instead of separated from the rest of the university. Participation in events like Culture Night (not like the talent show of the Korean RCs) and other events where people come from overseas is a good step in the right direction. Of course, we still need to see how we can integrate things better such as in HANST. The only two HANST events that Carmichael students went to in February were opening ceremony and Honor Code pledge. Neither of these were sponsored by HANST, but the university and the Honor Code committee.
I apologize for the strength and tone of this letter, but it is easy for us to get our busyness and priorities wrong. With events like these, it is easy to say that someone else should support. But you are that someone else who should be thinking what is important for me as a Handong student. Life is more than grades. Grades will come and go, but the ways we treat our community here is quite important.

-Bishop 

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