Celebrating its 115th Anniversary, Sahmyook University published a memoir in commemoration of the following pioneers of the school: Late President Kim Jong-hwa, Dr. Robert M. Johnson, and Professor George S. Haley. They stand high in estimation for laying the spiritual, financial, and administrative framework for the university in its initial phase of the new era on the current location (Nowon-gu, Seoul) from 1949, when the school moved from Sunan, Pyeongannam-do, North Korea where it was first founded in 1906.

Late President Kim served as a professor, superintendent, dean of academic affairs, and president (3rd and 6th) from 1965 to 1990, contributing greatly to the development of both internal and external aspects of the school, preparing it to be raised to the status of a university.

Dr. Johnston and Professor Haley were missionaries from the U.S. who devoted their youth to the university in the late 1950s, during which Korea was still bearing the ashes and scars of the Korean War. Throughout his 11 years of service at the university as a theology professor, from 1958 to 1969, Dr. Johnston played a pivotal role in the advancement of the school as well as the SDA Church in Korea by shepherding and producing a number of pastors and theologians. Professor Haley served the school for 22 years, from 1959 to 1981, teaching agricultural education majors and taking charge of the Department of Business and Industry. One of his great exploits was establishing the university’s financial security by founding and developing the milk processing business.

“The publication of this memoir embodies our hope for the wholehearted hard work of our foregoers who have built up each layer of the university’s history to be cherished and appreciated, generation after generation,” said SU President Kim Il-mok. He continued, “Their spirit of dedication is one of the major sources of pride for our university. I pray that their experiences of faithfully following the guidance of God will remain through our abundant spiritual and mental assets.”