Luncheon with Dr. Yong and UTS Leadership

On Friday May 7, 2020 Dr. Chung Sik Yong, President of the North American Region of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification and UTS Board of Trustee Member, hosted a luncheon at Belvedere for the leadership of the Unification Theological Seminary. Those who attended included UTS President Thomas Ward, Academic Dean Keisuke Noda, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life Steven Boyd, Registrar and Senior Associate Dean Ute Delaney, Professor Andrew Wilson, Director of Special Projects Christina Miyake, and Financial Director Frank Zochol. 

Dr. Yong listened to each UTS representative’s experiences at UTS as well as their understanding of UTS’ strengths and challenges. Dr. Yong also shared vulnerably with all of those in attendance and expressed his view on the importance of the Seminary both in preparing future leaders and in deepening ties with Christian leaders and leaders of all faiths. Dr. Yong expressed a desire to assist in helping UTS to do more student outreach to Asian leaders and youth as a first step in expanding UTS ties in that region, especially because of UTS ability and experience of  delivering quality online education, one “silver lining” of the tragic Covid pandemic. 

The UTS President and leadership presented a bust of President Abraham and a copy of his earliest writings to Dr. Yong, in appreciation of his love and commitment to America’s past, present, and future. The meeting was upbeat, hopeful, and an exceptional opportunity to understand Dr. Yong better and to meet him in the unique and blessed environment of Belvedere where UTS Founders Dr. Sun Myung and Hak Ja Han Moon began their mission in America in the early 1970s.