The Honorable Dr. Han Wan-Sang
Halle Distinguished Fellow, November 13, 2009
2009 Receipient of The Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award
The text of Dr. Han's presentation can be found here.
BIO
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Han has advanced the academy, served his country and promoted humanitarianism throughout the world, while also being emblematic of Emory’s strong ties to Korea and the benefits of internationalization. After receiving his BA and MA in sociology from Seoul National University (SNU), Dr. Han moved to the United States in 1962 to attend Emory. He received his doctorate in sociology in 1967 and joined the faculty of Georgia State University before returning to SNU, where he became a full professor in 1984. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Han became an activist in democratic social movements that emerged in Korea, and he was subsequently imprisoned for a time, his release coming in 1980. In 1981, he rejoined Emory as a visiting professor, and in 1987 he emerged as a leader in Korea after a series of political reforms set the country on a new path.
In 1990, Dr. Han was elected as the president of Korean Sociological Association. His involvement in human and civil rights, as well as Korean unification discussions, led to his appointment as deputy prime minister of the National Unification Board in 1993. Continuing his leadership role in higher education, he accepted appointments as president of Sangji University, the Korean National Open University and, finally, Hansung University. In 2001, Dr. Han was appointed deputy prime minister for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and in late 2004 he was named president of the Korea National Red Cross, where he served until retirement in 2007. Since then he has published two major books on the growth of Christianity and mega churches in Korea. A third book on peace, democratization and national unification will be out soon. His ties to Emory go beyond his own education and the honorary degree he received in 1999— his children and son-in-law are also Emory alumni.
The Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award, established by the generous gift of Mahdu and Jagdish Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing, seeks to recognize Emory University's international alumni who have distinguished themselves in service to universities, governments, private sector firms, or nongovernmental organizations.