Twenty years have passed since the College of Humanities was instituted after separating from the College of Liberal Arts in 2003. Considering, however, the initial establishment of the College of Liberal Arts and Science, which dates back to 1955, it can be said that the College of Humanities boasts a history spanning over 60 years.
The building of the College of Humanities stands as a testament to the lively spirit and cherished memories of indefatigable academic pursuit over those long years. But it was only recently when I took the office of the dean that I again took a careful look at this building, which had become an inseparable part of my life ever since I came to Kyunghee University.
The first thing that caught my eye when I reexamined the building with my new sense of responsibility was that the paint of the old exterior walls was peeling off. In fact, I heard that the former dean kept requesting the school to repaint the walls because they had grown too old. So, looking at this old facade, I thought, of course, that needs to be repainted.
But on the other hand, I also wondered why I had never realized that the walls looked so old. It may be because I was too busy to pay attention, or a certain strain of nostalgia made me blind to how times are passing, but then I thought may it was because even this old wall grew on me as an irreplaceable part of the Department of Humanities, its venerable history and tradition. Looking at it that way, I suddenly realized that the color of the walls was indeed white, and I had become unknowingly accustomed to its fade. Which is why even if someone asked me to choose a different color for it, I wouldn't have any other suggestion.
In front of the old walls and their faded color, a train of thought passed through me. The building has been silently standing there over those long years, embracing our members of the College of Humanities. And we too on our part have harbored a feeling of affection and intimacy to its inconspicuous presence albeit unconsciously. So no matter how old it may be, we look at this building with warmth and gratitude. Above all, I would like to think that having affection for this building means that you have affection for the College of Humanities.
The one thing I wish for the most since becoming the dean of the College of Humanities is that all the members of the College of Humanities express their affection for the College more openly, just as much as for the aged building, so that we can all have a sense of belonging as members of the same institution. Just as the walls of the College of Humanities are white, I hope that we will work together to find the inner and spiritual color of the College of Humanities and create a unique color for us. And sharing that color together, I hope that we may feel a stronger bond and pride of being a College of Humanities student. I will do my best to make this happen. I also earnestly ask for your conjoined effort.
Thank you.
2019.Dec.13
The Dean of College of Humanities, Park In-Cheol