Sahmyook University held a memorial service on Dec. 9 to honor the late George Sherdain Haley (Korean name: Ha Jung-sik), a missionary who significantly contributed to the university’s financial stability through its dairy farming and milk processing initiatives during the 1960s and 1970s.

The service took place in the Hong Myung-gi Hall of Yohann Hall on campus and was attended by more than 300 people, including University President Jae Hae-jong, Vice President Kim Yong-sun, former President Nam Dae-geuk, Sahmyook Foods President Jeon Gwang-jin, former Sahmyook Foods President Oh Jin-gyu, and Haley’s colleagues from his tenure at the university.

Haley was born in 1934 in Sister Lakes, Michigan. After serving in Korea with the U.S. Army’s 1st Medical Group in 1958, he was encouraged by Pastor Davis (Korean name: Tae Bi-soo), the then-president of the Adventist Mission Headquarters in Korea, to continue his service as a missionary after his discharge. Haley began his work at Sahmyook University in 1959.

In his memoir, Haley wrote, “My life at Sahmyook University for more than 22 years was a time of experiencing God’s continued blessings and relentless challenges.”

Following the university’s transition from Sahmyook Seminary to Sahmyook College in 1961, Haley was appointed the founding chair of the agricultural education department and head of the vocational division, laying the foundation for the university’s dairy farming industry.

At a time when Korea’s dairy industry was in its infancy, Haley foresaw its potential and spearheaded projects to expand milk production and cattle rearing. During a sabbatical in the United States in 1963, he raised funds to purchase 20 Holstein cows, personally overseeing their transport across the Pacific Ocean. At the time, there were only about 2,000 dairy cows in all of Korea. Haley also facilitated the donation of used equipment from major U.S. food companies to support the university’s operations.

Within months, the university’s dairy herd tripled as calves were born, with over 60% of the newborns being female—a significant milestone that Haley described as “a great blessing” in his memoir.

The 1970s brought new opportunities as the Korean government launched campaigns to promote dairy consumption. Haley capitalized on this by importing an additional 60 cows from the U.S. in 1973 and initiating the “Send Dairy Cows to Sahmyook” campaign the following year. The campaign garnered widespread support across the U.S., raising substantial funds to purchase 120 more cows, which were transported to Korea in two shipments in 1977.

The milk produced by Sahmyook University was recognized as premium quality in Seoul, and the dairy facilities, which could process 10,000 kilograms of milk daily, became a cornerstone of the university’s financial stability. In 1978, Haley was awarded the Order of Civil Merit by the Korean government for his contributions.

Haley concluded his service at Sahmyook University in 1981 and returned to the United States, where he spent the remainder of his life. He continued to visit Korea on invitation from the university. Haley passed away on Nov. 6 at the age of 90 in Little Crooked Lake, Michigan.

The memorial service, led by Chaplain Choi Kyung-chun, included a prayer by Academic Dean Park Chul-joo, a eulogy by former President Nam Dae-geuk, and remarks by President Jae Hae-jong and Haley’s former colleague, retired horticulture professor Kwon Oh-dal.

President Jae described Haley as “a benefactor of our university who laid the foundation for its financial independence and contributed greatly to its development.” He added, “His passion, spirit of challenge, faithful stewardship, selfless service, diligence, and integrity remain a model for us all. We will strive to ensure that the seeds of his dedication continue to bear abundant fruit.”

A memorial service for Haley was also held in the United States on Dec. 29 at Andrews Korean Church, where President Jae attended on behalf of the university community.