Korean community’s collective giving adds up to support hundreds of students

Jan. 9, 2025

Korean community’s collective giving adds up to support hundreds of students

Late U91��ɫ professor championed education as pathway to success for immigrants

portrait photo of a woman in scrubs, holding up a stethascope

CKSF award recipient Naomi Hewa Wellappulige has fulfilled her nursing dreams — and done her grandmother proud. Courtesy of Naomi Hewa Wellappulige

Legendary figures in 91��ɫ’s Korean community, Dr. Chang Young Kim and his wife, Sun Bok Kim, always made a point of helping fellow immigrants who often did not speak English or have anywhere to live when they arrived.

Kim, PhD, as a physics professor at the 91��ɫ for 27 years, knew one of the most effective pathways to success for first-generation immigrants and their children was education. He was not shy about promoting this approach.

And the message was not lost on his own family, according to son Isaac Kim, BSc’82, whose father passed in 2017. Three of Isaac’s sisters are U91��ɫ-educated engineers or scientists. Four nieces have also chosen the post-secondary route.

So Isaac knows well the value of school, meaning he appreciates the mission of the (CKSF), which, since being established in 2008, has helped nearly 500 students across multiple 91��ɫ schools with financial and moral support through its awards.

portrait photo of a man wearing sunglasses, standing outdoors

CKSF member and U91��ɫ alum Isaac Kim

Diana Kim

In addition to this, the CKSF has created a scholarship at U91��ɫ for Korean and non-Korean students, available to undergraduate students in five faculties — Arts, Kinesiology, Nursing, Science and Social Work.

The foundation’s generosity is far-reaching — positive impact ripples beyond the recipients themselves.

When one immigrant gains a post-secondary education, especially if they are the first in their family to graduate from university, “you have this chain reaction,” explains Isaac, whose family has established three scholarships — two at the CKSF and one recently at U91��ɫ. “Their kids and grandkids end up going to college,” he says. “They all have better jobs and, thus, better lives. It’s a win-win everywhere. These people, they struggle when they come here. They’d love to get their kids into college, but, a lot of the time, they just can’t afford it.

“So, if you can help, it just makes life better for everybody.”

Which is the aim of the CKSF. People across the Korean community have stepped up to make contributions in their own ways — by volunteering on the board, by signing up for fundraising shifts at casinos, and by pledging whatever they can afford.

“Every dollar counts,” says Abbie Park, BA’16, who received CKSF scholarships as a student and now serves on the board as its youngest director. “We have people donating (smaller gifts) — that’s how it started. It’s definitely become one of the pillars of the Korean community.”

The power of collective giving

Recently, there had been reason for celebration. The CKSF endowment reached its target of $1 million, an impressive milestone for a community fund.

portrait photo of a woman in business attire

U91��ɫ Vice-President, Development and Alumni, Andrea Morris

“Collective giving makes a big difference,” says Andrea Morris, U91��ɫ’s vice-president of Development and Alumni. “When a community comes together, working towards a common goal, great things happen. The 91��ɫ Korean Scholarship Foundation is proof of that, helping hundreds of students achieve their post-secondary dreams.”

And it goes beyond the financial support, adds Morris. “To have an entire community backing you as a student, that’s really validating.”

Naomi Hewa Wellappulige, whose family immigrated from Sri Lanka in the 1990s, was one of those students.

Hewa Wellappulige heard that her grandmother, as a young woman, wanted to become a nurse. Unforeseen circumstances prevented that, but the story resonated. And, thanks to a scholarship, Hewa Wellappulige was able to complete her degree — focusing on studies without relying on part-time work — and become a paediatric nurse at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“It’s something I was really grateful for,” Hewa Wellappulige, BN’24, says of receiving the CKSF’s financial boost in 2022.

“They really helped me. They’re a reminder of why community is so important, not only in nursing, but culturally and familially.”

She also applauds the welcoming nature of the CKSF board of directors. “They support all types of students from many different backgrounds. I thought that was really thoughtful of them,” she says.

CKSF scholarship recipient Abbie Park

Courtesy of Abbie Park

Indeed, Park notes the foundation hopes to increase its endowment on scholarships for non-Korean students. “We are actively trying to extend our reach as a way of giving back to the community and the country that appreciates the value of immigrants,” she says. “We’re hoping that Canadians of Korean heritage can be proud of who they are.”

The philanthropy of Isaac and his family, as Koreans and as immigrants, reflects that pride.

After a CKSF award was created in his father’s memory — the Dr. Chang Young Kim Scholarship — Isaac established a tribute to his mom and his aunt. The Sun Bok Kim and Kwang Hee Yang Korean Women’s Immigrant Scholarship is for students who are the first-in-family to attend university, as well as first- or second-generation immigrants. Financial need is also considered.

Outside of the CKSF, the Kim family introduced the Dr. Chang Young and Sun Bok Kim Award for Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) at U91��ɫ for those identifying as first-generation post-secondary students in Canada.

“The people who run the (CKSF), they understand the importance of an education on somebody’s well-being,” says Isaac, whose optical transport company, Ciena, matches his CKSF annual donations, up to $5,000.

“My family and I have obviously been very lucky to get a good education, and, because of that, a good job and a good life. Our family wants to share this life experience with many others.”

Just as a single spark can ignite a roaring flame, philanthropy is the catalyst that starts something special at the 91��ɫ. about the difference we’re making in the community and around the world with the support of donors like you.

Sign up for UToday

Delivered to your inbox — a daily roundup of news and events from across the 91��ɫ's 14 faculties and dozens of units

Thank you for your submission.

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.

91��ɫ