History

The school was originally founded in 1937 as the
Sangmyung High School of Art and Design,
which was established with the goal of raising ethnic
leaders in the Japanese colonial period.

Following the liberation, it developed into Sangmyung Women's Normal University (1965) and Sangmyung Women's University (1986). In 1996, Sangmyung University was reborn as a coeducational school in order to to actively cope with the changing times and to expand educational opportunities. It is the 18th year as a coeducational university this year, and it has been evaluated as a successful change from members of the school community, alumni, and students on campus.

After the transition to a coed school, students’ ardor for study has risen, as can be seen in the increase of the library utilization rate. Among other things, the employment rate has increased, and alumni activities centering around male alumni have become more active as well.

In addition, having been selected as as "the best university" and "the best graduate school" in the comprehensive evaluation of the 2nd cycle university administered by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, the prestige of our university is rising in the world.

1999
  • April 01

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the fifth president

  • November 29

    Dr. Seo Myeong-deok became the sixth president

1997
  • May 17

    The 60th anniversary of Sangmyung Schools

1996
  • March 01

    Sangmyung Women's University renamed Sangmyung University (the university became coed)

  • July

    [SMART 2005] established the mid-to-long term development plan for Sangmyung University

1995
  • April 01

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the fourth president

1992
  • December 29

    Dr. Lee Jun-bang became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

1991
  • March 30

    Dr. Shin Bong-jo became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

  • April 01

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the third president

1989
  • January 10

    Dr. Moon Nam-sik became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

  • June 10

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

  • November 06

    Establishment of Graduate School of Education authorized

1987
  • March 01

    Sangmyung Women's University became a collegiate university: College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Teachers' College; College of Natural Sciences; College of Languages; College of Arts

  • March 01

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the first president

  • March 01

    Dr. Kwak Jong-won became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

1986
  • January 27

    Dr. Lee Jun-bang became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

  • November 06

    Elevation to Sangmyung Women's University authorized

1985
  • March 01

    Cheonan Campus established

1984
  • October 06

    Establishment of Cheonan Campus authorized

1983
  • March 01

    Sangmyung Women's College of Education renamed to Sangmyung Women's University

1980
  • March 01

    Dr. Bang Jeong-bok became the first president of the graduate school

  • October 21

    Dr. Bae Sang-myung became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Sangmyung Schools

  • November 01

    Dr. Kwak Jong-won became the second president

1978
  • December 30

    Establishment of graduate school authorized

1977
  • May 17

    The 40th anniversary ceremony for Sangmyung Schools held in Nocheon Theater

1966
  • February 12

    Establishment of subsidiary elementary school and kindergarten authorized

  • September 01

    College moves to new building in Hongji-dong, Jongro-gu (4 story building, 2,214m²)

  • November 17

    Establishment of subsidiary middle school for girls authorized

  • December 29

    Establishment of subsidiary high school for girls authorized

1965
  • January 13

    Establishment of Sangmyung Women's College of Education authorized

  • February 05

    Dr. Bae Sang-myung became the first president

  • March 05

    Sangmyung Women's College of Education established

  • May 17

    Construction of new school building in Hongji-dong of Segeomjeong began

1945
  • July 15

    Sangmyung Schools established

1937
  • December 01

    Sangmyung High School of Performance Arts established