August 30, 2024

Columbus State University is now home to the nation’s first Campus Club of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA). The chapter hosted its inaugural meeting on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Founded in 2017, KDVA is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that aims to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance and provide resources and assistance to its members. It also supports veterans who served in the Korean War and subsequent U.S. military presence in South Korea.

Almost 50 people turned out Thursday night for a meet-and-greet to celebrate the club’s launch.

Speakers included KDVA advisor Sunny Park, an Atlanta business executive and president of the America Korea Friendship Society; Maj. Gen. (ret.) Pat Donahoe, who now serves as Columbus State's chief operating officer; and Dr. Daewoo Lee, the club’s faculty sponsor and an associate professor in the School of Policy, Justice & Public Safety.

“We are very proud to have the first KDVA chapter in the United States here at Columbus State,” Lee (pictured) said. “This campus club is focused on students and nurturing the relationship between the U.S. and South Korea. Hopefully, when the students graduate from here, they will remember these strong relationships.”

KDVA Campus Clubs are designed to support the KDVA mission and at least one of its four priorities, which it lists as:

• Enhance, advocate for and educate about the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. Alliance, an essential part of each nation’s security and prosperity, through forums, social media, newsletters, research and events.
• Recognize and support service members, government civilians and their families who have or are serving in the ROK-U.S. Alliance.
• Serve its members with professional networking, mentoring, volunteering and researching opportunities.
• Honor and support the veterans who defended South Korea during the Korean War.

The Columbus State chapter is part of the university’s deepening focus on serving military-connected students and enhancing the study of military history, culture and influence nationally and internationally.

For more information about the KDVA Campus Club, contact Lee.

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Main news image: America Korea Friendship Society President Sunny Park addresses those attending the KDVA Campus Club meeting.

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu  

Related news:
KDVA establishes student chapter at Columbus State University (WTVM-TV, Aug. 29. 2024)