In 1855, Father Joseph Maistre (1808-1857) made a solitary decision to establish "Saint Joseph's Seminary" in Baeron, Chungcheongbuk-do. His vision and determination to nurture talent for the future of the Church and Korea and to entrust the future of the Korean Church to Koreans were crucial for the existence of what is now the Catholic University of Korea. Thanks to Father Maistre, the Catholic University of Korea became the first institution in the country to systematically teach modern Western studies.
Despite the current societal challenges faced by our university as a private institution, such as the decline in the school-age population, we remember Father Maistre's courage in founding a seminary during a time of persecution. If our university's mission is to cultivate the talent that will carry the future of Korea, we will take on any challenge and venture forth.
Our students represent the future of our university and our nation. Through government-supported projects such as the University Innovation Support Project and the fourth stage of the BK21 project, our university will transform into an institution known for its exceptional teaching and educational excellence.
The most distinguished asset of our university is its liberal arts education. Students who receive this education not only qualify as experts in their respective fields but also learn to care for others and help those in need. They develop moral integrity and sound values, recognize and admit their mistakes, forgive others, and maintain humility. They understand who they are, foster friendships through dialogue, and are proficient in at least one foreign language, enabling them to stand confidently anywhere in the world. With an appreciation for philosophy, art, and literature, they understand and enjoy the meaning of life.
In today's society, marked by fierce competition and a focus on wealth due to neoliberalism, our university teaches the wisdom of life that emphasizes cooperation and sharing for better results, even while competing.
Fr. Luke Jongchul Won, Ed.D.,
the 8th President of the Catholic University of Korea
