By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Sookmyung Women's University President Lee Kyung-sook will retire at the end of the month after 15 years leading the school.
Lee is viewed as a leader who has made huge contributions to the development of the school, earning many nicknames due to her long-term presidency and aggressive management style.
Dubbed a ``CEO-type president,'' Lee in 1995 pledged to raise 100 billion won when the school had 200 million won in funds and suffered from financial difficulty. She accomplished her goal in 11 years.
During her presidency, the size of the school's land doubled and 20 buildings were built, earning her another nickname, ``construction president.''
Students also called her ``dancing president'' after she got down in sunglasses to pop music at a school event. They also cheered her for breaking the usual solemn image of university presidents.
``Longest-term female president'' and ``first president reappointed four times'' are some of her other monikers.
Lee entered the university in 1961 and began teaching there in 1976. She became president in 1994.
``I've spent 47 years at Sookmyung. I appreciate all the experience and people I've encountered over that time. The most worthwhile thing I've done is that I've fostered capable people,'' she said, though expressing regret over not building a gymnasium during her term.
Earlier this year, she was also the first woman to head a presidential transition team under President Lee Myung-bak. Parents and civic groups criticized her proposals for English education.
``Being on the transition team was an unexpected venture, but one I don't regret. The Lee government's policy has many things in common with Sookmyung's long-term development plan,'' she said.
Lee Kyung-sook also declined her school's recommendation to serve as chief director. She said she will give lectures upon request as an honorary professor but not regularly.