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The Kim Family Endowment
The Kim Family Endowment was established to honor Chong Hee (Mary) Kim, mother of Richard Kim '83, who was
an adolescent during the Korean War. She often told her children about hunger pains she had to endure during the
war and beyond. She was an outstanding student whose dreams did not materialize due to the absence of resources
we sometimes take for granted or overlook.
Despite economic and social hardship, she was accepted to the prestigious Seoul
National University as one of two female students in the electrical engineering
program, a feat considered nearly impossible at the time for young women. She
worked many hours during school teaching high school students and even took
a leave of absence to save money for school, but choosing between paying for
basic necessities and tuition became difficult with time forcing her to leave school
before graduating.
Nonetheless, she remained a fierce believer in education and moved her family to
America where she worked long hours managing a diner so that her children could
receive the best education possible without having to experience the difficulties she
did. We want to ensure that talented and ambitious students in need can reach their
potential without having to worry about basic necessities such as lunch. We hope that
those whose lives are helped by this cause carry on the spirit of Mary and support
others who will contribute to the good of our society and the world.
Nina & Richard Kim '83
Chong Hee (Mary) Kim
