Alumni Couple Donates Development Fund for YU Alumni, Alma Mater, and Younger Students

Founded David & Young Co. Inc. after immigrating to the U.S., contributing to the expansion of Korean goods exports

The Statue displayed in YU Central Library to honor 'Large Donors' 

[September 4, 2024]

<YU unveiled a Statue of David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo on August 26 in a ceremony honoring the couple’s contributions> 

YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) held the bust unveiling ceremony for David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo on the 26th.

 The Statue is displayed in the donor recognition space on the left side of the entrance of YU’s Central Library.David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo were recognized for their significant contributions to expanding the export of Korean goods and pioneering wholesale markets in the U.S. as entrepreneurs, as well as for their donations to their alma mater, YU, aimed at supporting its development and fostering a culture of giving.

 Both David Duk Chong Yoo (Class of '59, Economics) and Christine Yoo (Class of '61, English Language and Literature) are alumni of YU. After emigrating to New Jersey in 1972, they overcame challenging circumstances to establish David & Young Co. Inc., which contributed to expanding the export of Korean goods to the U.S. wholesale market. 

David Duk Chong Yoo held various leadership positions, including Senior Vice President of the Korean American Association of Greater New York in 1982, President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of New York in 1984, a volunteer member of the '88 Seoul Olympic Support Committee, and Director of the Korean Sports Council in the U.S. East Coast. Recognized for his contributions to the export of Korean goods to the U.S. and his various volunteer activities in the Korean American community, he was awarded the National Medal of Honor by the South Korean government in 1987.

<Mr. YOO Young-hyun and his wife express gratitude on behalf of David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo.>

 Despite working in the U.S., Chairman YOO has consistently demonstrated a deep affection for his alma mater. He served as the second president of YU’s New York Alumni Association from 1991 to 1992, and in 1995, he received an honorary doctorate in economics from YU in recognition of his achievements in growing a business under difficult conditions as an immigrant. In 1997, he became the first overseas alumnus to receive the 'Proud YU Alumnus Award.' David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo, both of whom experienced poverty in their early years, have shown particular interest in supporting students who face financial difficulties. In 1995, they established the DAVID & CHRISTINE YOO Scholarship Foundation after their names, and in 1995, they endowed the David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo Globalization Scholarship at YU to support juniors to become global talents.

<The families of David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo and the scholarship recipients took a commemorative photo together.>

Mr. YOO Young-hyun, the eldest son who attended the bust unveiling ceremony on behalf of David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo, said, “As an immigrant, I admire my father, who has grown a company with his outstanding leadership and management skills in the harsh American society, and my mother, who has always been a reliable companion by his side, contributing to the development of Korean companies and the Korean community. It is meaningful that the statue of my father and mother, who missed their alma mater with great affection from afar and were anxious to help, have been erected.” ”I hope that the dedication and contributions of my father and mother will be remembered by my alma mater for a long time.  I will continue to honor their achievements and spirit of sharing and carry on their will.”

YU President CHOI Oe-chool said, “We are pleased to hold the unveiling ceremony of the alumni couple bust of David Duk Chong Yoo & Christine Yoo today, and we are grateful for the good influence they have shown to our alma mater and our younger generation over the years. I admire them for overcoming hardships and adversity as entrepreneurs, contributing to raising the status of Korea, and consistently sharing with their alma mater and alumni from afar. We will do our best to ensure that their precious intentions, demonstrated through their generous donations for their alma mater and alumni, will serve as a foundation for YU to drive the development of Korea and nurture talented individuals who contribute to human society."