Community Campaign contribution awards deserving students

karen herland

When Jang-Hwan Kwon first entered Concordia as a math undergraduate in 1987, he was impressed by both professors and support staff. “There was an overall feeling of friendliness. People really wanted to help,” Kwon recalled. He proudly showed his acceptance letter, which he’s kept all this time.

He explained that he was surprised to get the opportunity to study in the first place, “given my average at CEGEP , I didn’t think my chances of studying in university were good.”

Now senior supervisor of the MIS Group at IITS, he never dreamed that one day he would set up an endowment for students as a way of saying thanks. However, the Jang-Hwan Kwon Graduate Award in Computer Science has done just that.

Kwon talked about his history with Concordia, which stretches back over almost two decades. “I’ve achieved things I never thought I’d be able to do. Concordia’s environment encourages you to go to the next level.”

Kwon took the opportunity to pursue a BA in Civil Engineering elsewhere. By 1992 he was back at Concordia as an independent student, but uncertain of his future, and also out of shape and unhappy.

It was Vladimir Pavlicik, the longtime Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, and his staff who helped Kwon get fit at the Victoria Gym. Meanwhile, Kwon decided to earn a Graduate Diploma in Computer Science.

While earning that diploma he saw a posting for a programmer at what was then the university’s computer services department.

He earned his degree while working, receiving his Masters in Computer Science in 2003. He now supervises other programmers at IITS.

Last June, a casual conversation with Maria Piccioni of Advancement and Almuni Relations turned into a crash course in endowments. Kwon set up an annual $500 award. A $10,000 commitment is needed for that kind of endowment.

Maria Piccioni is Coordinator of Faculty and Staff Giving and responsible for setting the wheels in motion. “People think you need large resources to start an award. But you can make a big difference in a relatively short timeframe,” Piccioni said.

For instance, people can get together to make regular payroll contributions - staff in Financial Services were able to endow an award within two years. Over the last three years faculty and staff have committed to create over a dozen new awards.

Endowments can help students in financial need, or reward academic excellence, depending on what the donor would like to see. Recipients are selected each year by the Financial Aid and Awards Office, or the Graduate Awards Office according to criteria established with the donors.

Kwon hopes to have his award in place in the next few years. For Kwon, the opportunity to support the institution that supported him is priceless.

“When I contributed to the Capital Campaign a few years ago, they told me my name would be up in lights, and I thought it was just an expression.”

Of course, he smiles when he sees his name among the others glowing from the sign above the Library Building Atrium on the way to his office .