Vol. 6 [UT Stories] Day 1: Gala Dinner of the Inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit in Seoul

• On the evening of Thursday, April 16, the gala dinner for the inaugural Texas Global Alumni Summit was held at The Westin Josun Seoul.

• Participants began arriving at 5:30 p.m. to pick up their pre-registered name badges and joined a reception featuring light finger foods, wine, and water. Alumni and UT representatives—some meeting in person for the first time after connecting online, others newly introduced, and many reconnecting after a long time—gathered to share lively conversations. 🎉

• One side of the reception area outside the Orchid Room featured a calligraphy station, where guests could request personalized handwritten pieces, as well as a booth to enter a raffle for two generous prize packages, adding a special touch to the evening.

• As the reception reached full momentum, it was time to begin the program. At the sound of a gong drawing everyone’s attention, guests moved into the Orchid Room.
• The gala dinner opened with a welcome message from Dr. William Inboden (Interim Executive Vice President and Provost), delivered via video on the main screen in the Orchid Room. This was followed by remarks from Dr. Sonia Feigenbaum (Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement at UT), who began her speech with a greeting in fluent Korean. She noted that Korea has the largest number of the university’s doctoral alumni outside the United States and is also among the countries with the largest overall alumni base. She also explained why Korea was chosen as the host country for the university’s first global alumni event. Emphasizing the importance of meaning created through communication, she added that this message held particular significance given her academic background in languages and comparative literature. She acknowledged the presence of all 22 members of the International Board of Advisors (IBA), as well as representatives from UT’s partner institutions in Korea, including Yonsei University, Korea University, Hanyang University, and Sungkyunkwan University. She also expressed her gratitude to the event’s sponsors, including Gold Sponsor, Kaiper Group, as well as 3H Bio, Blackboard Asset Management, Greenergenic, and PentaLink.

• John Kim (PGE ’05), President of the UT Austin Korean Alumni Association and Chairman of Kaiper Group, then delivered his remarks. Reflecting on his college experience sharing a room with peers from diverse countries and backgrounds, he spoke about the values of freedom and diversity he learned in Texas. He shared how those values shaped his journey to leading a Korean energy technology company and driving innovation in the energy sector. He encouraged fellow alumni to carry forward the freedom and courage they gained in Texas in every path they pursue.

• Guests then took their assigned seats and continued their conversations over a thoughtfully prepared multi-course dinner, creating opportunities for deeper connection and networking. The dishes were both elegant in presentation and excellent in taste. 😋

• During registration, participants had been asked about dietary restrictions. Upon requesting a gluten-free option in advance, a meal that perfectly accommodated the dietary restrictions was served—both healthy and delicious—which made the experience even more impressive.

• Yuki Satomi (ADV ’03), who resides in Japan and serves on the board of the UT Japan Alumni Association, shared the following reflections about the event:

"It was truly wonderful that more than 120 alumni and university representatives from 19 countries gathered together in Korea for this summit.
I was very grateful for the opportunity to participate from Japan.
Learning about the achievements of alumni in Korea and other countries made me feel extremely proud to be part of this global community.

As a board member of the Japan alumni association, I was also deeply inspired by the vibrant activities of UTAKA and their ability to attract enthusiastic participants from a wide range of generations. Connecting with this community for me was very encouraging, and as fellow Asian graduates who studied in UT Austin, I hope we can continue to exchange information and strengthen our ties in the future. —Yuki Satomi (ADV '03)

• As the dinner came to a close, it was time for the raffle. A new UT staff member, dressed in elegant hanbok, drew two winning numbers in succession from a box. The prize packages were generous, including a Bevo plush toy—UT’s iconic mascot—apparel featuring the UT logo such as scarves, and a range of items gifted by sponsors, including a YETI tumbler, Fired Up! hot sauce, and a Poncho Outdoors gift card.

• Dr. Sonia Feigenbaum then outlined the program for the following day, bringing the first evening’s events to a close.
• On the way out, all participants received a special gift. Inside a lightweight yet durable bag in UT’s signature burnt orange and white were Korean-themed souvenirs, including a traditional norigae ornament, a jogakbo pouch, and a spoon-and-chopsticks set. The gift package also included a UT business card holder, along with sponsor items such as a modern hair tie from TIY and anti-tarnish powder from SWS Vintage.