Shin Tae-ryang, CEO of Swagger Food, Donates $120,000 to His Late Wife's Alma Mater
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2023-04-13
Shin Tae-ryang, 81, CEO of Swagger Foods, is a successful first-generation Korean American entrepreneur in the U.S. He garnered much praise for donating $120,000 to our university, the alma mater of his late spouse. The office of External Affairs of our university held a ceremony to deliver Shin’s Development Fund on Wed, Apr. 12 at the administration building.
Shin and his two daughters and his two in-laws, who are live in the United States, joined us online through ZOOM. President Jang Yun-keum, Vice President Park Jong-sung, and director of External Affairs Jeong Ki-eun attended the ceremony.
Shin is the husband of the late alumna Ahn Yoo-hyun (class of 1968, College of Pharmacy). In honor of his wife‘s recent passing, Shin decided to donate to our university, his wife‘s alma mater. The couple got married in 1971 at Hyehwa Catholic Church in Seoul and immigrated to Chicago, USA, two years later in 1973.
Mr. Shin has since become one of the most successful Korean-American entrepreneurs with his food company, Swagger Foods. The years that they relied on each other under difficult circumstances became an unforgettable memory for Mr. Shin. Friends and family of Ahn said that during her life, Ahn lived a dedicated life, putting
others before herself. At Christmas time, she always prepared food and took care of her neighbors as if she were their parents.
"My mom was a kind person, not only to her family, but also to her friends and employees,” said the second daughter Shin Jung-min Erica. Kim Kyo-sook, a former vice president of the Korean Red Cross, and Jung Young-sook, an alumna of the College of Pharmacy, who have fond memories with Ahn, were also present and shed tears as they shared their memories of her.
President Jang Yoon-Keum said, "We will promote the spirit of sacrifice, service, and love that alumna Ahn conveyed to our students,” and added, "In honor of alumna Ahn‘s scholarship programs, we will strive to foster future generations and make the world a better place."
Shin said, "Thank you so much for making today such a meaningful day for my family,” adding, "I will make the rest of my life meaningful until I meet my wife again."
In honor of the couple, our university plans to name lecture hall 301 of the Prime Complex, which overlooks the campus during all four seasons, the “Ahn Yoo-hyun Lecture Hall.” In front of this classroom, the phrase "To you With Love," which contains the heart of Ahn, will be engraved.
“To you with Love” was written on a card presented to Shin by his wife Ahn at their wedding in 1971. Shin said he treasured the card so much that he has always carried it in his wallet for 52 years.
Shin is also actively involving in serving the Korean American community in the U.S., by taking a chairman role of the Korean American Association of Chicago and president of the Midwest Branch of the Korean- American Scientists and Engineers Association. Last year, he donated USD 2 million to his alma mater, Illinois State University.