“This year marks the 29th year. We’re going to continue to select good students and talented Korean educators and make our community proud.”
Koreatown old-timer Jong-hwan Cha is popular for writing a book on his experience as a professor as well as serving as the president of South Korea’s National Unification Advisory Council.
However, what has not been well known about Cha is his incessant effort to provide scholarships to bright young children in the Korean-American community. The last time he was featured for his scholarship business was in October 2005, even though he has been awarding financial award under the name Korean American Education Research Center for 29 years. The two awards he presents every year are Bright Prospect Award and Pestalozzi Award.
Bright Prospect Award is given to Korean-American children who have displayed academic excellence, while Pestalozzi Award is for the community’s contributors, especially educators.
This year, Cha sent $3,000 to his alma mater Gangjin High School.
“I didn’t think I’d ever become a professor after graduating from a high school in such a countryside,” Cha said. “I was able to achieve this much in my life because others have helped.”
That is why Cha began his scholarship business 29 years ago. He has raised a seed money worth up to $800,000 since then. Now, he simply awards scholarships on interest alone. The money was not solely his investment. He has had supporters in Southern California, including the Honam Friendship Foundation of Southern California, Yoon-shin Kim, Koo-young Lim and Sun-ki Kim.
Nothing much has changed since 10 years ago. Each Bright Prospect Award winners earn $500 with second place finishers taking $300.
“My feeling is that I want to give scholarships to all of the applicants,” Cha said. “It’s a difficult decision to select them. That proves how many Korean students are excelling in school.”
Cha is also known for sending the certification to the school of the award’s winner to make sure that the students receives the award in front of his or her peers. That was his decision after realizing that the awards could end up becoming “quiet recognitions.”
“Receiving the award in school means that it goes on the student’s records,” Cha said. “I hope that the award also helps the students to have a higher chance at getting into their first choice colleges.”
Eligibility to apply for the scholarship is given to high school juniors and seniors whose GPA is at least 3.5. Required documents include application, school transcript and SAT results, essay about growing up or goals. For Pestalozzi Award, application must include a fully completed form, two letters of recommendation and a photo. The form is available on the website (www.kaercedu.org).
Applications and other documents must be sent to the Korean American Education Research Center at 975 S Vermont Ave #201 LA CA 90006. The deadline is Nov. 7 with the award ceremony to be held on Nov. 17. ▶Inquiry: hanmied@sbcglobal.net
By Byung Chang
