Delegation visits Pasadena to confirm friendship agreement between two cities
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06/23/09
A group of Fuller Seminary students and leaders welcomed a delegation of eight leaders from Paju, South Korea, in a gathering at the David Allan Hubbard Library on Fuller’s Pasadena campus Monday, June 22. The Paju dignitaries were in Pasadena to enter into a “friendship relationship” between Paju and Pasadena, with the mayors of the two cities having signed an agreement that morning.
“Korea and Fuller have a long and wonderful relationship,” said School of Theology Dean Howard Loewen to begin the short program. “Over the years we have served many students here on Fuller’s campus, and also in Korea. They are very important to our history at Fuller, to our current community, and to the future of Fuller Seminary.” Fuller has many classes and even a degree program, noted Dr. Loewen, that can be pursued entirely in the Korean language.
Fuller President Richard J. Mouw also offered welcoming comments, and presented a certificate of friendship to Paju Mayor Hwa-Sun Ryoo. “I am delighted to hear that Pasadena is taking steps to form a sister city relationship with Paju,” said Dr. Mouw.
Mayor Kwa-Sun Ryoo also gave a brief address in which he described Paju, a rapidly growing historic city located north of Seoul, near the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Paju and Pasadena have much in common, noted Mr. Ryoo, including his observation that “the citizens of both Paju and Pasadena are very kind and warmhearted!”
The gathering was organized by School of Theology students Sandra Kim and Daniel Ra, who both also offered comments to the group, speaking in Korean. “At Fuller Seminary, there is a large community of second-generation Koreans” like himself, said Ra, who completed his MDiv this year. “I believe Fuller Seminary is a strategic partner in raising up Korean leaders. I am proud to say that Fuller is an important part of Pasadena, and I am excited to welcome the Mayor of Paju and his delegation to our school.”
The program was followed by a luncheon gathering on the third-floor balcony of the library, and a tour given to the delegation by David Bundy, associate provost for library services, of the library’s Korean-language collections.