SUNY Korea held its Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony and the AAS Exhibition for FIT’s graduating class of 2024 Fashion Design students on June 14th.
Spring 2024 Commencement
A total of 158 people graduated, including 81 from five departments from Stony Brook University – Computer Science, Technology & Society, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Business Management – and 77 from the Fashion Design and Fashion Business Management Departments of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
During the commencement ceremony, Arthur H. Lee, President of SUNY Korea, sincerely congratulated the graduates. He emphasized the SUNY Korea spirit to the graduates, urging them to put into action the knowledge acquired during their university years, execute their plans, and share these efforts with those around them to contribute to making a better world.
Deborah Klesenski, FIT’s Associate Vice President for Faculty and Student Academic Support Programs, gave a congratulatory speech. She praised the students for their hard work and advised the graduates to be artists who always question their own perspectives, emphasizing that what makes an individual's life special is their story. She encouraged them to never abandon three essential elements – art, passion, and friends – in order to better endure the various chapters of life. Klesenski reminded the graduates that their efforts and perseverance can lead to significant achievements in the future.
Carl Lejuez, Chairman of SUNY Korea LLC, also attended the graduation ceremony. He stated, "There is no predetermined correct path in life; I hope you walk a journey that is meaningful to you." He expressed gratitude for the students' dedication, which has enabled SUNY Korea to become a more advanced educational institution.
AAS Exhibition
The AAS Exhibition, organized by the graduates of FIT's Fashion Design Department, featured the theme of "Thierry Mugler." All garments on display were designed and produced by the graduating class of 2024 in remembrance of Thierry Mugler's design legacy. Mark-Evan Blackman, Fashion Design Chair, praised all the students for their hard work these past two years, and said, “This event allows you to appreciate a variety of skills, including illustration and color analysis, as well as the high-quality draping, flat patterns, and advanced sewing techniques that FIT is renowned for.” The exhibition will be open free of charge from June 14 to September 7.
To watch the Commencement Video, CLICK HERE
To watch the AAS Exhibition Video, CLICK HERE
International connections are being fostered this semester for Fashion Business Management students at SUNY Korea, who are set to take part in an international workshop at Chiba University’s Design Research Institute in Sumida, Tokyo, from April 22nd to 26th. This collaboration aims to mix fashion with the digital world, focusing on sustainable pathways to communicative, wearable technology. Dubbed “Wearable Design for Social/Emotional Communication,” students are bein
On April 12, 2025, SUNY Korea hosted the Spring Alumni Career Talk and welcomed back its alumni to share their professional journeys and insights with the current students. The event featured graduates from various majors – including Computer Science and Technology and Society from Stony Brook University, Korea, and Fashion Business Management from Fashion Institute of Technology, Korea. The session provided a platform for alumni to reflect on their academic experiences, career pat
On April 11, 2025, the Business Management Department’s CPA Study Group, accompanied by accounting professors, participated in a special field trip to Deloitte Korea’s headquarters, located in the IFC building in Yeouido, Seoul. The visit began with a warm welcome from Deloitte Korea’s CEO, Mr. Jong-sung Hong, who took the time to personally greet the delegation. His presence made a significant impression on the students, emphasizing Deloitte's commitment
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has been ranked the number one fashion school globally for 2025 by CEOWORLD magazine. This marks the fourth time FIT has been ranked number one by the CEOWORLD magazine, following previous rankings in 2019, 2021, and 2023. This recognition follows an extensive survey conducted between November 15, 2024, and February 22, 2025, involving over 250,000 fashion industry executives across 180 territories. The ranking was based on a comprehensive set o
On March 26, 2025, SUNY Korea had the privilege of hosting Dr. Jaewan Kim, a distinguished professor at Yonsei University and the Director of the Institute of Quantum Information Technology. Held in Room 105 of Academic Building C, the seminar presented a unique opportunity for students and faculty to dive into the evolving world of quantum mechanics and quantum information science. The event began with light refreshments and an introduction to Dr. Kim, whose academic ba