Mason Korea celebrated the newest graduating class at the Spring 2023 Graduation Ceremony held at the IGC Small Theater last Friday.
Throughout the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters, Mason Korea saw a total of 108 graduates, most of whom participated in the commencement held at the Fairfax campus. The ceremony in Korea specifically recognized those students who were present, including Julianne Porter, a visiting student from Fairfax who spent her final year at Mason Korea. Porter’s family traveled from Virginia to attend the event.
Approximately 150 individuals, including family members, faculty, staff, and fellow students, attended the graduation ceremony.
During his speech, Mason Korea Campus Dean Robert Matz discussed the trending subject of the AI chatbot, ChatGPT. ChatGPT, he emphasized, can provide information but not analytical or moral judgement. “In the end it is the actual work you put in during your studies—learning to wrestle with questions and problems of all kinds—that will give you the wisdom to help shape our world for the better," Matz said. “It is my belief that with your education and your drive to do good, you will be full of compassion and vision and help to make this world more beautiful, and more free,” he added.
Dean Matz concluded his speech by highlighting the recent participation of a Mason Korea graduate, Daniel Seihoon Lee (GLOA, '23), in the commencement ceremony held in Fairfax. Governor Youngkin of Virginia personally recognized Lee during the ceremony and reiterated the value of Mason Korea (2:06:18).
Representing the graduating class, Yong June Kim (CONF, '23) expressed gratitude to professors, faculty, staff, and classmates for their support. “Studying at both George Mason’s Korea and Fairfax campuses provided us with more opportunities to embrace cultural sensitivity and diversity that have molded us to become well-rounded individuals,” Kim said.
At the alumni pinning ceremony, Mason alumnus Mike Kwon (Econ, '00) warmly welcomed the newest alumni to the alumni association. Dr. Ju Young Byun, the Vice Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, also delivered congratulatory remarks.
June 18, 2023