Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Major: Economics
For a guy grew up in and never really left Los Angeles, Bloomington was a shock to the system. No smog, more trees, fewer celebrities, not as much sand, and more sweaters than bikinis. But for Sung, it was a good thing from the start.
"I was here for only a few hours during my visit, but I was hooked right away. I immediately connected with the campus, the people, and the lifestyle. There are lakes and forests here and it is peaceful and comfortable. In California, we have beaches and you can get a tan. Here, I can go out in nature and think. It inspires me to be creative and to dream."
As it turns out, IU has become more than just a place for Sung to think and study. It is a place where he has set out to leave a legacy, after being inspired to do so by his mentor. "I met Daniel at church my freshman year," Sung recalled. "We shared many interests and he took me under his wing, like an older brother. He made a huge difference in my life and influenced me to leave a mark at IU by getting involved and helping others."
Sung did get involved, in everything from his residence hall government to the ballroom dance club, but it has been the Asian American Association (AAA) that has captured his spirit. "The students who started the AAA, in 1987, were trailblazers. With the help and support of organizations such as Latinos Unidos and the Black Student Union, they were able to help create the Asian Culture Center, where students can come together and share their experiences. These founders had great foresight and initiative, which motivates me to keep moving our organization forward."
As the president of the AAA, Sung has worked to encourage more interaction and activities between his association and the other cultural groups on campus, such as the Black Student Union and the Indian Student Association. "I think together, we can establish a dialogue that unifies all of us, and by extension, the whole campus. IU is an open place where people have passion and work together, but there’s always room to grow. Maybe that will be my legacy, that students and groups are even more comfortable coming together to achieve great things for themselves."
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