Synopsis "From Korea to the World3"
This is a journal of Dr. Won Ho Chang, a retired Korean-American journalism professor. Dr. Chang was born in a rural town, Umson of South Korea, educated and had a successful career as a distinguished professor of journalism in the University of Missouri, and traveled around all over the world. Dr. Chang benefited most from my grandfather's vision and teaching of the Confucian values and philosophy, which emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. He was told by my grandfather that my life's destiny came under the sign of the "running horse," which would carry me around the world. The source of this Confucian prophecy, the Book of Changes, considered the cycle of one life span to be 60 years. He has now surpassed that cycle by over a decade, but my destiny continues to keep me running. This book is an examination of that destiny and looks back at what he has done to accomplish his goals along the way. Dr. Chang's first goal was to achieve the highest level of education. He began that journey in provincial high school in Korea, eventually making my way to Seoul for college. After four years there, He had to prepare for my study abroad for another four years and made his way to Eugene, Oregon to take another bachelor's degree in journalism, then to Los Angeles for his master's and finally to Iowa City for his ultimate goal, a doctoral degree. It took his 35 years of hard work to achieve that goal. Dr. Chang's second journey was in his career and with his family. His career was centered on the teaching of journalism at the University of Missouri. He was honored to be awarded the O.O McIntire Distinguished Chair Professorship and worked as a department chair, director of the Stephenson Research Center and associate dean for graduate studies and research. He supervised 33 doctoral dissertations, wrote 16 books, spearheaded the use of word processing in printing newspapers, helped to establish and modernize newspapers in Asia and helped motivate young journalists all over the world. Now, as a retiree, Dr. Chang has settled in a retirement community, Laguna Woods Village in California. His destiny, however is keeping him running. He is traveling around the world and searching for renewed meaning to his life in retirement. He also has been reading many books, both fiction and non-fiction, which he could not do when he was immersed in academic research and teaching. He is also enjoying the natural wonders of the surrounding mountains and beaches and practicing his favorite sports, golf and fishing. What meaning does his life hold for him now? Dr. Chang is running to explore this question in this book.
