Alumni

Grad turned soldier: A leader on and off campus

Throughout his years at Oglethorpe, Kevin Kim ’18 made a big impact on campus—but was notably absent at this year’s commencement.

Kim completed his Accounting degree requirements early, in December 2017, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Originally from South Korea, Kevin’s parents brought him to the U.S. as a child, and his decision to join the military was in part a path to earning U.S. citizenship.

Basic training started in April, so Kim wasn’t able to attend commencement, but President Schall held an early graduation send-off for Kim before he left.

And while he wasn’t at the official ceremony in person, he was in spirit—via a handwritten letter addressed to “Dear Oglethorpe Family,” sent just days before the ceremony. President Schall read portions of the letter during the ceremony, introducing Kim’s story as “an Oglethorpe story.”

The letter begins: “I hope everyone is doing well. It has been a busy three weeks since the start of Basic Training and I have a lot to share with you.”

In his letter, Kim writes that the training is physically and mentally demanding and difficult to experience at times—especially the chemical attack training.

“I learned how to protect myself from a chemical attack by walking into a room filled with chemical gas. Worst experience ever. Your whole body stings and you are unable to breathe without the protective mask. It is really sad to know that these kinds of weapons are being used against innocent people.”

Despite those challenges, he remains positive. “Overall, I am doing okay. I am learning and experiencing a lot of really interesting things.”

Kim also reported that he’d earned the title of squad leader, an achievement President Schall describes as “no surprise for an Oglethorpe graduate.”

“Basically, I’m accountable for my squad and I eat last,” says Kim of his new title. He went on to give a shout out to Cody Teague, director of residence life, for the leadership book “Leaders Eat Last,” required reading for his training as a resident assistant and community advisor on campus, experiences that prepared him for life outside Oglethorpe.

Larissa Randall ’18, President Schall, Kevin Kim ’18, and Senior Class President Hannah Gibbs ’18 at Kevin’s graduation send-off. Photo courtesy of Larissa Randall

In fact, throughout his time at Oglethorpe, Kim took on many leadership roles on campus, including Junior Class President, President of OU Running Club, and a fraternity brother of Alpha Phi Omega. In his spare time, he ran a printing business out of his dorm room using a printer he found on Craigslist and repaired. He also regularly volunteered in the Reiser Scene Shop, building sets for Oglethorpe Theatre productions and smaller campus projects such as benches on the residential quad.

Kim’s time at Oglethorpe taught him what it means to be a leader, and Kim is already living up to Oglethorpe’s creed, to “make a life, make a living, make a difference.”

Print Friendly, PDF & Email