Wikipedia

Sogang University

Sogang University (SU, Korean: 서강대학교; lit. West River University) is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1960 by Fr. Theodore Geppert, SJ and the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus with the school being the oldest Jesuit institution of higher education in the country.

Sogang University
서강대학교
Former name
Sogang College (SC)
(1960–1970)
MottoObedire Veritati (Latin)
진리에 순종하라
Motto in English
"Obey the Truth"
TypePrivate research university
EstablishedApril 18, 1960; 64 years ago (1960-04-18)
FounderFr. Theodore Geppert, S.J.
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
(Society of Jesus)
Academic affiliations
ACUCA
AJCU-AP AACSB
ChairmanFr. Park Mun-su (Francis Xavier Buchmeier), S.J.
PresidentRev. Luke Sim Jong-hyeok, S.J.
Academic staff
413 (Full-time)[1]
817 (Part-time)[1]
Administrative staff
314[1]
Students11,792 (2023)[1]
Undergraduates8,100 (2023)[1]
Postgraduates3,692 (2023)[1]
Location
35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo, Seoul
,
South Korea
CampusUrban (59.6 acres)
Colors  Cardinal
  Silver
MascotAlbatross
Websitewww.sogang.ac.kr
Korean name
Hangul
서강대학교
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSeogang Daehakgyo
McCune–ReischauerSŏgang Taehakkyo

History

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Beginnings

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Albatross Tower, symbol of Sogang University, opened on the 30th anniversary of the university.

At the initiative of the Catholic Hierarchy of Korea, Pope Pius XII gave assurance that a Catholic institution of higher learning would be established in Korea.[2] In 1948 he entrusted the task to the Society of Jesus. In October 1954 Jesuit Fr. Theodore Geppert, SJ from Sophia University of Tokyo came to Korea in search of a suitable site to establish a Jesuit college.[3] In February 1955 Jean-Baptiste Janssens, SJ, the twenty-seventh Superior General of the Society of Jesus, assigned the task of establishing the college to the Wisconsin Province of Jesuits.[4] Fr. Leo Burns, SJ, Superior of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus, came to Korea and, with the Korean Catholic Hierarchy, began negotiations with the Syngman Rhee government for the establishment of a liberal arts college. In January 1957 the Society of Jesus purchased a property of 67,075 pyong (217,323 sq. meters, 53 acres) at Nogosan, Sinsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The site was prepared for construction of an Administration Building, which was completed in November 1959. Sogang College was opened in 1960 and was granted research university status in 1970.

Development

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1970s

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In February of 1970, Complex of Mary Hall was opened on the territory of the university, which was granted the status of a research university the same year. Mary Hall became the first university theatre of South Korea. The 10th anniversary of the university, which was held on April 18 and attended by cardinal Kim Soo-hwan, was hosted on the grounds of the complex.[5]

In December of 1973, the establishment of Loyola Library, which was the first library of its kind in Korea to have a fully open system as well as a reference inquiry system took place. The library has over 1,000,000 books and 6,000 kinds of periodicals, over 40,000 reference materials, various kinds of microforms, audio visual materials and various kinds of digital materials.[6] The same year, the Department of Diplomacy was opened, alongside an opening of a doctoral program in graduate school.[5]

1980s

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In October, 1980, the university opened its gymnasium for usage.[7] The gym has a total floor area of ​​5,632 m² and can accommodate about 3,500 spectators. It has volleyball and basketball courts, 3 teaching rooms, an office, a classroom, 14 student clubs, and 3 table tennis courts.[8][6]

In March of 1981, the departments of Business Administration, International Trade, and Accounting were integrated into the Department of Business Administration.[7] Department of Diplomacy would change its name to the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy. The establishemnt of the departments of French Language and Literature, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Computer Science also took place.[8]

The 1979 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mother Teresa visited Sogang in May 1981 and gave addresses in the auditorium and at the basketball court, appealing for all to practice a charity that is universal.[8]

In 1984, the Korean Catholic Church celebrated its bicentennial. For the celebration, Pope John Paul II visited Korea on May 5, meeting with priests along with men and women religious in the gymnasium and with Korean intellectuals in the auditorium.[8]

1990s

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View from the Sogang University campus at dusk

In April of 1990, the university unveiled its new symbol, Albtaross Tower, located near the main gate of the campus. Albatross, is named after the bird of the same name, and is shaped in the image of the first two letter of Sogang written in Hangul, “ㅅ” and “ㄱ.” The design of the tower was made by the alumni association, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sogang University. The words "Obedire Veritati", which serve as the official motto of Sogang, can be seen on the lower central part of the tower.[9][6]

November of 1994 saw the opening of the second student center, Emmaus Hall. It's name, Emmaus, comes from the name of the town located approximately 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Jerusalem, which has significant meaning as the place for meeting Jesus. Its name is also mentioned in Gospel of Luke, at Luke (24:13-35).

Campus

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Sogang University campus

Campus of Sogang University is located in Mapo District of the capital city of South Korea, Seoul. The campus is located in three administrative districts of Mapo-gu: Nogosan-dong, Daeheung-dong, and Sinsu-dong. It has a total area of 59.6 acres, or approximately 242,091 square meters. The area of the campus is home to 36 buildings, which includes restaurants, plazas, halls, students centers and etc. These include buildings such as the Administration Building, Arrupe Hall, Gonzaga Hall, Berchmans Woojung Hall, Geppert-Nam Duck Woo Hall, and many more.

Transportation

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Campus is accessible through a variety of public means of transportation. In order to access the campus from the Incheon International Airport, visitors must use the limousine bus that are located Outside the front of the airport on the arrivals level. It takes about an hour to get to the main gate of the campus from Incheon.[10] Most effective way to reach the campus however is through the usage of Seoul Metropolitan Subway.

Bus

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You can take several trunk buses that pass by or stop near Sogang University. The trunk buses include 110A, 110B, 153, 604, 740, 753, and 921. These buses will take you directly to the university area. Additionally, you can use branch buses that serve the area, including 5712, 5714, 6712, 7016, 7016 (listed twice), 7613, and 8153. These buses provide access to neighborhoods close to the university. For local routes, village buses such as Mapo 07, Mapo 11, Mapo 12, and Mapo 14 operate in the vicinity and connect nearby residential areas with the university.[11]

Airports

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After boarding the Airport Railroad (AREX) at Incheon Airport, transfer to Seoul Subway Line 2 at Hongik University Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. It takes about 70 minutes to get to get to Sinchon Station. Through Gimpo Airport, visitors are also able to use Line 2. Transfer to Line 2 at Hongik University Station, which is also used in commuting to the campus from Incheon International, and get off at Sinchon Airport, which takes about 35 minutes to get to, including transfers. Taxis are among an array of ways to travel to the campus. There are three kinds of taxis; regular, deluxe and jumbo. The fare for a regular taxi to Sogang University is approximately 50,000 won, while the fares for the deluxe or jumbo taxis usually cost more. They're available on the first floor of the airport.[10][11]

Seoul Metropolitan Area

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Sogang University station at the Gyeongui–Jungang Line

From Line 2 at Sinchon Station, it only takes about 8 minutes to walk from Exit 6 to the main gate. Using the Daeheung Station, which is situated at the Seoul Subway Line 6, it takes about 5 minutes to walk from Exit 1 to Nammun. Alternatively, if you use the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, get off at Sogang University Station, take Exit 1, and walk 3 minutes to the main gate.[11]

From Seoul Station (Gyeongbu Line), which is a major station within the area of Seoul city, board Line 1, transfer to Line 2 at City Hall Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. The total travel time, including the transfer, is about 30 minutes. Through Yongsan Station (Honam Line), board Line 1, transfer to Line 2 at City Hall Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes, including the transfer. Using the Cheongnyangni Station, located at the Jungang Line, board Line 1, transfer to Line 2 at City Hall Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. This trip takes about 40 minutes, including the transfer.[11]

Bus terminals

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From Seoul (Gangnam) Express Bus Terminal, board Line 3, transfer to Line 2 at Euljiro 3-ga Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. Commuting from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take Line 2 from Gangbyeon Station and get off at Sinchon Station. The trip takes about 40 minutes. From Nambu Terminal, board Line 3, transfer to Line 2 at Euljiro 3-ga Station, and get off at Sinchon Station. This journey takes approximately 50 minutes, including the transfer.[11]

Campus facilities

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Loyola Library

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Located on a hill, Loyola Library was established in 1973, with a total area of 13,901 square meters. It became the first university library in Korea to include a reference inquiry system, as well as an automated loan and return operations sytem. It's second building was completed in 1982, followed up by the construction of a third building in 1997. In 2010, the library opened a U-dream Hall, a complex space for exhibitions and events. As part of the Shinchon University exchange agreement, students of Soganag University are able to enter the Yonsei University Central Library, Ewha Women's University Central Library, and Hongik University Central Library by presenting their Sogang University student ID.

Matthew Hall

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Matthew Hall was completed in August 2001. It is named after Saint Matthew, a christian evangelist, tax collector, and an apostle from the Roman Empire. He was also one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Matthew the Apostle is also known as the author of the first Gospel of the New Testament. He preached the message of God, and was martyred in Ethiopia. With a total floor area of ​​16,246 square meters, it houses the Faculty of Business Administration, Graduate School, and Graduate School of Business Administration. Matthew Hall is facilitated with air conditioning and heating systems. The building also includes a library of latest style, alongside a video conference room accompanied by a wide reception hall for international conferences.[6][12]

Arrupe Hall

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Arrupe Hall

Arrupe Hall was named after Pedro Arrupe, 28th Superior General of the Societ of Jesus, who was also known as “Second Ignatius”, a refounder of the Society in light of the Second Vatican Council, which was a name given to him by a fellow friend and advisor, Jesuit Vincent O'Keefe. The hall was completed in October 2002. It consists of a basement floor, 11 ground floors with a total area of 8,462 square meters, an Admissions Office, University Museum, Institute for International Culture & Education, Alumni Association, a bank, a wedding hall, and a restaurant.

Bellarmine Dormitory

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Bellarmine Dormitory was completed in February 2003, with a total area of ​​3,808 m² on nine floors above ground and one underground floor, it can accomodate 336 people. The dormitory was named in honor of Saint Roberto Bellarmine, widely regarded as of the most outstanding theologians of his time, as well as a defender of the Church. Bellarmine became a member of the Society of Jesus at a very young age, and in the year 1560, he first preached as a priest. When Pope Clement VIII appointed Bellarmine as a cardinal, he said, “I have chosen this man, because in the Church of God, there is no one who can equal him in learning.”[12]

Saint Ignatius House

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Saint Ignatius House was named to commemorate Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, who ultimately became the first Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order). The total area of the building is about 4,058 square meters. The building has a cathedral, and is used as a pastoral center catholic christians in the Shinchon area of Seoul. It is also equipped with a 500-seater auditorium[12]

Emmaus Hall

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Emmaus Hall

Emmaus Hall, completed in November of 1994, is one of the multiple student centers within the vicinity of Sogang University campus. Similar to its name (Emmaus), which was which was a significant place in the Levant for meeting Jesus, it was named with the hope that it will establish itself as a place where Sogang residents, which includes students, staff, and professors, can meet and spend time with each other.[12] The hall consists of 3 ground floors with an area of 3,436 square meters wide. It also serves as a main building for 65 student clubs. There's also a grandstand, located on the second floor of the building, which can hold up to 1,500 people simultaneously. Student cafeteria is located on the third floor of the building. Roof of Emmaus Hall is mainly used as a rest area.[13]

Youth Plaza

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Youth Plaza is a large wide lawn plaza, which was created by the demolishment of an old basketball court. It was constructed and unveiled to the public in the year 1990, along with the opening of Albatross Tower. In 1998, it was named Herzog Square, to commemorate the visit of then German President, Roman Herzog. Below the Youth Plaza locates a parking management room, as well as a parking facility, which can hold up to 299 cars. The building below Youth Plaza has total of 4 floors, which altogether make up a structure with a total area of 10,777 square meters. Construction of the plaza began on October 10, 1996, and was finished in November 19, 1997.[12]

University symbol and slogan

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The cardinal red university color symbolizes love, the Holy Spirit, martyrdom, loyalty, and victory. The silver chevron comes from the first letter 'ㅅ' of 서강 (Sogang), representing the intellectual spirit of Sogang and an ivory tower. The "IHS" comes from the first letters of the Greek name Ιησους (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) for Jesus and is also found on the seal of the Society of Jesus, the Catholic religious order that founded the university. The medieval crown stands for the Virgin and Trinity, symbolizing wisdom.[14] Sogang University also has a famous slogan which is: Be as Proud of Sogang as Sogang is Proud of You (Korean: 그대 서강의 자랑이듯, 서강 그대의 자랑이어라).

Academics

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University rankings
JoongAng National[15] Domestic 12
QS National[16] General 17
THE National[17] General 22–27
QS Asia
(Asia version)[18]		 General =92
THE Asia
(Asia version)[19]		 General =180
QS World[20] General =576
THE World[21] General 801–1000
USNWR World[22] General =1381

Admission to Sogang University is highly selective and nationally competitive. Sogang's freshman intake belongs to the top 1% of their high school academic performance in the country, as the university is widely regarded as one of the top private universities in addition to being one of the most prestigious elite schools in the country.[28] However, the university's global ranking lags behind its esteemed national reputation and evaluation results because the institution has no medical school and fewer students enrolled compared to some other major Korean universities of a similar national rank.

Sogang Business School

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In October 2009, Sogang University received accreditation in business from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) to establish the university's very first business school.[29]

Sogang Business School ranks among the nation's top five business schools. Located near Seoul's Financial District, alumni from the school have received the highest job-landing ratio for undergraduates among universities in South Korea in 2006, 2007 and 2008: the percentages of employment in major companies measured by the Ministry of Education were 55.1%, 53.3% and 54.9% respectively for these years.

The "Sogang School of Economics"

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The university has contributed significantly to the rapid economic growth of South Korea since the 1960s. Faculty members linked with Sogang have been deeply involved in shaping the country's future economic development model spearheaded through the top-level cabinet positions in the government by laying the groundwork of South Korea's rapid economic growth of South Korea. Due to these important engagements, a group of economists associated with the university and engaged in economic policy-making came to be called the "Sogang School." Based on its reputation, the institution has consistently drawn and attracted young talent of the highest intellectual caliber from around the country, mostly among applicants who scored in the top 1 percent threshold of the national college entrance examination. Sogang's economics department has been recognized as one of the foremost in South Korea based on international scholarly journal publications.[30]

Sogang Korean Language Education Center

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Sogang Korean Language Education Center (KLEC) was established in 1990 with the goal of popularizing and spreading the Korean language and Korean culture throughout the world.[31]

Since its establishment, over 30,000 students from overseas have learned about Korean culture and language by participating in its programs. Currently, an average of 3,500 students register for the Korean Language Education Center every year.[32]

Notable alumni and faculty

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Alumni

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Politics

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Park Geun-hye, 11th president of the Republic of Korea

Business

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Academia

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Literature

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Broadcasting and entertainment

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Notable faculty

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Sogang University". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. ^ "Sogang University History, Beginnings".
  3. ^ Worcester, SJ, Thomas (August 16, 2017). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Jesuits. Cambridge University Press. p. 233. ISBN 9780521769051.
  4. ^ "Conclusion". The Jesuits in Korea: Influence without Presence.
  5. ^ a b "서강대학교". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. ^ a b c d "wwwe - About Sogang". wwwe.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  7. ^ a b "Sogang University History, 1980s".
  8. ^ a b c d "서강대학교". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  9. ^ "서강대학교". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  10. ^ a b "SOGANG KOREAN IMMERSION PROGRAM". koreanimmersion.org. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  11. ^ a b c d e "서강대학교". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Campus Map". www.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  13. ^ "wwwe - About Sogang". wwwe.sogang.ac.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  14. ^ "교표" [University symbol] (in Korean). sogang.ac.kr.
  15. ^ "2023 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings". JoongAng Ilbo. 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "QS University Rankings 2025". Top Universities. 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "THE University Rankings 2025 - South Korea". Times Higher Education (THE). 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "Asia University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education. 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  20. ^ "QS World University Rankings". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "THE World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  22. ^ U.S.News & World Report (2024). "2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings". Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  23. ^ U.S.News & World Report (2024). "Best Global Universities in South Korea". Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  24. ^ World University Rankings - 2023 (2024). "South Korea Universities in Top 500 universities". Academic Ranking of World Universities. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  25. ^ U.S.News & World Report (2024). "2024-2025 Best Global Universities in Asia". Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities". Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  27. ^ "Young University Rankings 2024: South Korea". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  28. ^ Kim, Sung-tak (September 13, 2022). "Open mouth, insert foot". Korea Joongang Daily.
  29. ^ MBA Channel: South Korea on the rise
  30. ^ "Park's aides focus on growth, fair economy". The Korea Herald. December 21, 2012.
  31. ^ Jung, Min-kyung (February 12, 2023). "[Newsmaker] [Hello Hangeul] Yonsei vs Sogang: A closer look at decades-old rivalry in Korean language education". The Korea Herald.
  32. ^ "Sogang University". wwwe.sogang.ac.kr. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
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