This year marks the 25th Anniversary of a special relationship between Southwestern Oregon Community College and Hyejeon College in Hongseong, South Korea (approximately 2.5 hours south of Seoul). In April, Dr. Patty Scott, President of Southwestern, Dr. Ross Tomlin, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services and Chef Shawn Hanlin, Executive Director of Oregon Coast Culinary Institute traveled to Hongseong, South Korea to participate in 25th Anniversary Celebrations. A ceremony was held during the visit in which a commemorative myrtle wood plaque was presented to Hyejeon College’s President Dr. Jae-Ho Lee. This exchange program was started in 1991 by then Southwestern President, Dr. Stephen Kridelbaugh. Each summer since 1992, 25 Hyejeon College students visit the Southwestern campus to enjoy an “American Experience” which includes English language instruction. In exchange, Southwestern has sent a college staff member to Hyejeon for a quarter to teach English. “The purpose of this visit was to celebrate the long and successful relationship between our colleges and to discuss additional exchanges,” said President Patty Scott. Like Southwestern, Hyejeon has culinary and baking & pastry programs. The college hopes to establish some additional exchanges between these programs. Over the past 20 years international students from more than 30 countries have attended Southwestern, enriching the lives and educating staff, students and the community about their similarities and differences.
