Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

  On November 17th, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) of SUNY Korea launched a networking event for fashion professionals, which was held as part of the 1st Global Fashion Expert Training Program, at the Seoul Creative Fashion Studio of DDF Fashion Mall. Around 200 fashion professionals participated in this event, including brand managers, buyers, CEOs, designers, educators, marketers, merchandisers, and sales executives, representing 114 fashion companies and institutions. The event featured a distinctive dress code in which attendees “dressed their best with a hint of pink or red to accentuate their ensemble.” DJ music further enhanced the atmosphere, while MBTI and related activities facilitated a sense of openness and communication among the participants. It provided a vibrant platform for meaningful networking, fostering an exchange of ideas and information among the participants. Attendees shared valuable insights while sharing their expertise with participants. Professor Vincent Quan, the Program Manager and Chair of the Fashion Business Management Department at SUNY Korea-FIT, emphasized the need for collaboration and building a community among various sectors in the Korean fashion industry. He stated that the global advancement of Seoul and K-Fashion, while nurturing current and future fashion professionals, should be a priority. SUNY Korea emphasized the importance of collaboration and exchange in various sectors of the fashion industry through this event, aiming to contribute to the development of Korea's fashion sector. The ongoing '1st Global Fashion Expert Training Program,’ which commenced on August 22nd, is set to conclude with a graduation ceremony on December 9th at the SUNY Korea campus. The closing event highlights an intensive 16-week journey that has emphasized global fashion topics, a live fashion case study, and final project to be presented by participants.    

  On Tuesday, November 28, in the Haft Theater, a celebration was held in honor of Stephen Burrows, Fashion Design ’66. Burrows is the last living designer who participated in the Battle of Versailles 50 years ago in France. (Read a full profile of Burrows in an archive issue of Hue magazine.) The program was organized by Gwen Sargeant, founder of the Fashion Arts Xchange Group Inc., a nonprofit that provides career opportunities in fashion and visual arts to minority students and professionals. The celebration for Burrows featured opening remarks from FIT President Joyce F. Brown, acknowledging his many accomplishments, including being the first Black designer to win a Coty American Fashion Critics award. He went on to win two more over the years. Burrows, who was in attendance, was thoughtful as he reminisced about his career and expressed his gratitude for all of it. Click here to read the original article.

  The winners of FIT’s second annual PETE Prize for Entrepreneurs were announced during Entrepreneurship Month on Thursday, November 30, at a breakfast at Spring Place. The 2023 winning team of Habin Lee, Technical Design ’23, and Mary Addison Davis, Fashion Design ’23, whose company is RANEA: Courage to Move, have created a business manufacturing and selling athletic wear that facilitates proper muscle movements and reduces stress for chronic injuries for both men and women. Lee and Davis, who were chosen from among 96 applicants, are receiving $30,000, along with office space for one year and marketing, legal, financial, creative, and operational guidance on how to build and launch an innovative company. “What’s really important for RANEA,” said Lee, “is to promote and to remember the joy of having an active lifestyle without getting injured.” Click here to read the original article.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recognized Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations and improving resilience in the face of climate change. As part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), HHS announced December 3 that SBUH was one of more than 130 organizations to join the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, committing to align with the Biden administration’s goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Click here to see the original article.

The Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has once again earned the distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG or heart bypass surgery) procedures. The three-star rating awarded for the July 2020 to June 2023 analytic period denotes the highest category of quality and places SBUH among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. Stony Brook University Hospital received its first three-star rating in 2017 and has consistently received top ratings since. “At Stony Brook, we take great pride in our comprehensive heart program that has a long legacy of bringing the highest quality standards to benefit our patients and their families,” said Carol Gomes, chief executive officer, Stony Brook University Hospital. “And we remain laser-focused on serving our community with the most advanced technology, our outstanding cardiovascular staff and the full spectrum of lifesaving cardiac interventions.” Click here to read the original article.

  The SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume opens a new exhibition, “Indigo Dreams in the Coral Kingdom," from November 29th, 2023, to March 8th, 2024. The FIT NDGC club, ATC Textile club, SBU Art class students, Utah's Film students, indigo-focused artists, a tufting artist, and a florist collaborated to create this wonderful exhibition that allows you to experience an enchanting world of naturally dyed indigo garments.   In a world where the deep blue seas and the coral kingdom face threats from pollution and the consequences of global warming, we invite you to join us on a journey to 'Indigo Dreams in the Coral Kingdom.' This exhibition celebrates the timeless allure of indigo-dyed garments while serving as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for sustainability and environmental stewardship. Join us in exploring the enchanting world of naturally dyed indigo garments, where the creative talents of FIT NDGC club, ATC Textile club, SBU Art class students, Utah's Film students, two indigo-focused artists, a tufting artist, and a florist have converged to bring this exhibition to life. 'Indigo Dreams in the Coral Kingdom' is not just an exhibition; it's a call to action, a testament to our shared responsibility, and a dream for a brighter, bluer, and more sustainable tomorrow.   Immerse yourself in the allure of indigo, appreciating its timeless beauty and the craftsmanship behind each piece. Beyond fashion, the exhibition extends into film, tufting art, and floral design—a testament to the diverse talents converging to raise awareness about environmental issues. As you explore "Indigo Dreams in the Coral Kingdom," take a moment for reflection. This exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to protect our oceans and advocate for sustainability. It's not just an exhibition; it's a call to action—a collective dream for a brighter, bluer, and more sustainable tomorrow. Join us in this creative endeavor, where art meets consciousness, inspiring positive change for the delicate ecosystems of our coral kingdoms and deep blue seas. This exhibition will be closed from December 18, 2023 through January 1st, 2024, during the winter recess of SUNY Korea offices.

Stephen A. Koch, Stony Brook University professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry, was recently named the recipient of the 2023 American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry “for pioneering contributions to bioinorganic chemistry and fundamental synthetic coordination chemistry, and for exceptional service to the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry.” The award is sponsored by Strem Chemicals.  Among his many responsibilities that garnered this accolade, Koch was responsible for the logistical task of scheduling the various Inorganic Chemistry Division oral and poster sessions at multiple National ACS meetings for more than a decade. Accordingly, he will be honored at the ACS award ceremony in March 2024, in conjunction with its annual conference, where he will provide an award address, and there will be a day-long symposium in his honor. Click here to read the original art article

  As the year comes to an end, the grand finale, “2023 Year-End Party" was celebrated on Friday, November 24th, 2023. The Undergraduate Student Council (USC) and SUNY Korea's Student Services invited all SUNY Korea students, faculty, and staff for the much-anticipated 2023 Year-End Party. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘KINGSMAN’, and all members were dressed with charm and elegance in suits and ties, adding a spice to the event. The ‘Best Dressed Award,’ was presented to Hyobin Shin (Mechanical Engineering, SBU) and Jennifer Christiana (Fashion Business Management, FIT) for showcasing the best style of the night. Additional winners received ‘People of the Year’ awards, from votes that were collected prior to the event. Theses winners were recognized for their significant contributions to the SUNY Korea community. Lastly, the Lucky Draw session added a layer of excitement to the evening. During the event, many lucky attendees were able to win amazing prizes.  A highlight of the event was SUNY Korea’s ‘Got Talent Show,’ featuring performances from six teams – ECHO, Emesis, Delicatessen, Seunghun Lee, White Chamber, and Yoonji Min – who took the stage to compete for the grand prize. From musical performances to festive dance performances, the students were able to showcase their extraordinary talents. Via selection from our wonderful faculty and USC President judges, ‘Delicatessen’ (Haemin Kim, Computer Science, SBU) won first place in the ‘Got Talent Show’ with his amazing talent in guitar. Eddie (Seunghun Lee, Electrical and Computer Engineering, SBU) secured in second place in beatboxing and Emesis (SUNY Korea dance club) won third place. As the SUNY Korea community came together to bid farewell to 2023, the Year-End Party’s program left an unforgettable memory to all. 1st Place: Delicatessen   2nd Place: Seunghun Lee   3rd Place: Emesis     Check the 2023 SUNY Korea Year-End Party Video HERE  

    From November 23rd to 26th, the Incheon Art Show 2023 will be held at the Incheon Convensia Center, and this year, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is making a bold statement with its participation. Under the title "Contemporary Canvas," FIT's FD Department is set to showcase a vibrant and creative display, featuring more than 20 original digital artworks printed on T-shirts. The Incheon Asia Art Show is a platform for artists and designers to show off their art pieces. In this year’s Incheon Asia Art Show, ‘Beyond Asia Connect Global,’ around 700 domestic and international artists will be participating and operating booths. FIT's presence at the event underscores its commitment to fostering creativity and embracing the global art market. Visitors to the FIT booth at Convensia can expect to be captivated by a diverse array of curated graphic T-shirts, each piece carefully curated to reflect contemporary designs. The Modern T-Shirt allows individuals to express themselves while controlling their own personal narratives. This exhibition represents a collaborative work within the Fashion Design Department, showcasing the talent of the student, faculty, and staff designers. For those eager to explore the intersection of art, fashion, and technology, the Incheon Asia Art Show 2023 is the place to be. FIT's "Contemporary Canvas" exhibit promises to leave a lasting impression, offering a glimpse into the future of artistic expression and boundless possibilities. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this convergence of art and fashion at the FIT booth, along with a variety of many other artists.  

  On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, SUNY Korea students were granted a rare glimpse into the fashion world from one of the most famous fashion designers in South Korea. Chung Chung Lee, the CEO of LIE Collection and also the son of Sang Bong Lee, was able to join the Fall 2023 Career Talk to You, themed “Fashion in Passion”. Mr. Lee’s journey into the fashion industry is all about creativity. Throughout his talk, he emphasized the importance of having a profound passion in fashion. Also, he shared stories of collaborating with numerous brands, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Aston Martin, Swarovski, BMW MINI, Volkswagen, and many more.  His LIE Collection, short for “Life Is an Expression,” shows his innovative talent in each piece. Mr. Lee has curated numerous fashion shows around the world, including Paris, New York, Seoul, and Jakarta. He explained the intricate process of creating a fashion show, from designing each piece, shoes and accessories that fit with the clothing, and even guiding the models in expressing the clothing. As the session concluded, the students left with a newfound insight for the fashion industry. Chung Chung Lee’s journey has inspired many FIT students dreaming of a career in the fashion industry.   Chung Chung Lee and Vincent Quan, Chair and Professor of the Fashion Business Management Department  

With holiday baking season upon us, it’s time to check in with Rose Levy Beranbaum, Fashion Design ’70, the three-time James Beard Award-winning fairy godmother of fabulous baked goods. Rose has written 13 cookbooks, most of them about desserts. She’s known for her “bibles”—on cake, cookies, pie and pastry, baking, and bread—and for the kind of precise instructions that let even a novice produce a masterpiece. After 35 years, she’s working on a revision of The Cake Bible, first published in 1988, and named Cookbook of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals in 2017. Like any good bible, this perennial bestseller is epic. There are butter cakes, cheesecakes, sponge cakes, wedding cakes, and even pancakes. Click here to see the original article.

  From the Anime Club to the Yarn Cafe (knitting and crochet), student clubs are an important part of life at FIT. One popular club is Runway27, which imagines, plans, and produces an immersive fashion show. Founded by Fashion Business Management Professor Lori Massaro in 2013 with 25 students, the club now has 150 student members hailing from many different majors. Runway27 members come up with the theme, source the garments and accessories, do hair and makeup, secure sponsors, design the set, capture video and photo content, and market the event to the FIT community—all while navigating a busy curriculum and their own social lives. This year’s high energy show, Synergy, held Nov. 16 in the Haft Theater, was told through the four elements of life: air, earth, fire, and water. The four elements were demonstrated in the garments, colors, and textures in this year’s show and were presented by an exciting cast of ethnically diverse and body-inclusive models, who are also FIT students. The makeup featured beautiful eye adornments to signal which element they represented. Even the pre-show mocktails matched the evening’s theme. Click here to see the original article.

In an insightful field trip organized by the CPA Study Group on Monday, November 13th, 15 enthusiastic members had the opportunity to visit EY HanYoung. EY HanYoung is a prominent player in the corporate accounting sector that provides consulting, assurance, tax, and transaction service. The event included a company overview, an engaging Q&A session with a Senior Accountant, and a comprehensive office tour. The study group's visit commenced with a warm welcome from EY HanYoung's staff, who introduced the firm and its areas of expertise. The participants were specifically notified that in addition to Assurance, there is a growing demand for foreign accountants in areas such as Consulting, Deals, and Tax.  One of the highlights of the trip was the Q&A session with a Senior Accountant at EY HanYoung. This session offered the students a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the daily life and challenges that account professionals face. Additionally, the office tour provided an inside look at the firm’s facilities and working environment, which was also a very unique opportunity for the CPA Student Group to be able to glimpse the dynamic and collaborative culture at EY HanYoung.  This field trip served as an important stepping stone for the future accountants of the CPA Study Group. The growing demand for foreign accountants will be a great opportunity for the students at SUNY Korea, where students are able to experience cross-cultural skills and earn global perspectives. 

SUNY Korea Career Development Center hosted an event named “Fall 2023 SBU Alumni Panel Event,” which was held through Zoom on Saturday, November 11 for SUNY Korea students. Four SUNY Korea SBU graduates participated in this event as speakers: Won Gu (AMS, PhD Candidate at Penn State University), Long Vu (BM, MS Candidate at Carnegie Mellon University), Sunghwan Kim (TSM, MS Candidate at Stanford University), and Anh Nguyen (MEC, PhD Candidate at Northwestern University).  In their presentations, the four SUNY Korea SBU graduates advised on how to apply to graduate programs and graduate schools abroad based on their own experiences. What the four speakers emphasized in common were: a higher GPA, being proactive in one’s interested research field, and close relationships with faculty based on one’s passion. After the four speakers finished, there was a mentoring session for SBU students who participated in this event via Zoom breakout rooms. Thanks to this session, the participants could ask the graduates what they really wanted to ask, and get advice from them as real applicants rather than examiners. One student who joined this panel event said, “It was a good opportunity for me to get advice from the students who graduated from SBU, SUNY Korea. In particular, I learned that graduate schools in the US prefer applicants who graduated from American colleges and universities rather than other countries. In my case, I became confident about utilizing my American school degree in order to enter a graduate program overseas.”   Written by Student Reporter, Hyeonha Hwang (hyeonha.hwang@stonybrook.edu)  

When Usama Shaikh, the assistant chief diversity officer in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, got to Stony Brook University, he knew it was special. The university has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, something Shaikh saw from his first interview, but he wanted to do something to confirm and even celebrate the progress. So, he approached Judi Brown Clarke, Stony Brook’s vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, about making that happen. The result? A recognition from Insight into Diversity’s 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. Click Here to read the original article