The Wharton Impact Tour arrived in East Asia this October, as Dean Erika James visited China and the Republic of Korea for the first time in her official capacity.
Kicking off the visit in Seoul’s Lotte Hotel, Sanghyun Samuel Kim C85 W85, the president of the Wharton Club of Korea, remarked on the unique qualities of the Wharton alumni network: “The power of Wharton has always been our people — your ideas, your ambition, your energy.” Kim also praised the resilience of local alumni, who recently relaunched in-person events, following several years of virtual programming due to the pandemic. “When I think of how many challenges we faced as a club in the past few years,” said Kim, “it fills me with gratitude to see you all here today.”
Dean James greets the crowd in Seoul.
For her part, Dean James connected the astonishing progress of Korea’s economy to values Wharton holds dear — namely, an enduring belief in the power of technology to produce prosperity, and the imperative of sharing the benefits of economic growth. “The story of Korea’s rise,” said Dean James, “demonstrates the promise of business: to improve the world around us through innovation.”
Dean James also commended the Wharton Club of Korea for being innovative itself, by planning events for Wharton alumni of every generation. “Your programming at once previews life after Wharton for admitted students and welcomes new alumni into the world of possibilities that awaits them,” the Dean said.
One week later, the Dean continued her travels to greet more than 150 Wharton alumni and friends as they gathered at the St. Regis Shanghai Jingan. The standing-room-only crowd heard Dean James emphasize the collaborative nature of Penn and Wharton’s long history with China. In fact, 2023 marks a significant anniversary between the university and the country: a Penn alumnus became the first American doctor to practice Western medicine there in 1823, kickstarting an exchange of ideas that has shaped industries not just in China and America, but around the world, for 200 years.
Dean James and Professor David Hsu discuss the future of entrepreneurship in Shanghai.
Following her remarks, Dean James welcomed David Hsu, Richard A. Sapp Professor of Management, for a conversation about entrepreneurship. The two touched on the exciting possibilities of Wharton’s newest building, Tangen Hall, which houses Venture Lab and brings together aspiring entrepreneurs from across the University. The building’s unique design “helps condition the mind,” said Hsu, prompting students to interact with each other and their mentors as they delve into case studies and generate new ideas.
James and Hsu also discussed the personal motivations behind Hsu’s research into the commercialization of new technologies, in particular those focused on health care. The journey of Hsu’s son, who successfully battled leukemia, showed Hsu first-hand the impact of research that leaves academia and enters the marketplace. “I am humbled by how the discoveries of researchers impact others,” Hsu said.
In addition to fostering research, the Dean emphasized that Wharton would continue to provide students with opportunities to understand China and its place in the world: “Our nations — as the world’s two largest economies — must continue to deepen our engagements.”
