A LEGACY OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND RIGOROUS RESEARCH

CO-FOUNDERS

 고광림 박사, Kwang Lim Koh, SJD (1920-1989)

Kwang Lim Koh (L.L.M and S.J.D, Harvard Law School, and Ph.D., Political Science, Rutgers University) was a scholar, diplomat and co-founder of what became the East Rock Institute.  In 1960, he served as South Korea’s acting Ambassador to the United States, and later led the South Korean mission to the United Nations.

Dr. Koh was the author of numerous scholarly articles and 15 books, including the first textbook of American studies in Korea. Throughout his career, he championed democracy in Korea and the reunification of North and South Korea.

전혜성 박사, Hesung Chun Koh, Ph.D.

Dr. Hesung Chun Koh is co-founder, Honorary Chair and President Emerita of East Rock Institute. For over 60 years, she pioneered numerous programs to promote cultural understanding between the United States, Korea, and Korean diaspora communities.

Born in Seoul, she was educated at Dickinson College (B.A. Economics and Sociology) and Ewha Womans University, received her masters and doctoral degrees in sociology and anthropology at Boston University and completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard and Georgetown Universities.

Dr. Koh has taught at Yale Law School, Yale University, and Boston University. She has been a visiting professor at the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka and at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto.

She is the author of several books, including Authentic Leadership in a Multicultural Society, Women’s Authentic Leadership, and Meaningful Aging.

As an artist of Asian brush painting, Dr. Koh has held several solo art exhibits in Kyoto, Seoul, and Connecticut.

BOARD MEMBERS

  • Bob Osborne

    Public school teacher, Adjunct Professor at University of New Haven Graduate School of Education

    Board Chair

    “I am grateful for all that I have learned at ERI. It’s made me a better teacher.”

  • Charles M. Smith

    Certified Public Accountant

    Board Secretary

    “I have served on many boards over my lifetime. None of this service has returned such profound insights as my service on ERI’s board.”

  • Youngseon Kim, Ph.D.

    Professor, Central Connecticut State University School of Business

    Associate Treasurer

  • Dr. Yeojin "Julie" Kim

    Associate Professor, Central Connecticut State University Department of Communication

  • Harry Nam

    Founder and Managing Partner, HTx Holdings LLC

    “My engagement with ERI began during my junior year at Yale. Through this connection, I was able to get re-introduced to the history and culture of my parent's mother country.”

  • Hyosun Park

    Public school teacher in Korea, ERI Research Fellow

    “I am very proud to be a part of East Rock Institute, where I have been exposed to a diverse perspective on Korean culture and was able to think deeply about the Korean-American identity.”

  • Heseung Song, Ed.D.

    President and CEO, Mighty Engine

    “ERI teachings can help Koreans everywhere strengthen their own cultural identity in fostering leadership through compassion.”