“It might sound like an exaggeration, but without Simpson College, my siblings and I might not be here today,” said Pamila Lew, daughter of Inja Pak Lew, Simpson College ‘60. “My mother was an ambitious young woman who dreamed of leaving South Korea to pursue an American education. Simpson answered the call—and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Although today South Korea is known for its advanced technology and award winning musicians, television shows and movies, the country was devastated shortly after the war ended in 1953. Bright and hardworking, Inja’s desire to study in the United States was constrained by the reality of her family’s limited finances. With nothing to lose, Inja, in an act of faith, sent letters to several American colleges explaining her plight. Simpson College was the only one to answer, offering her admission and a full scholarship. At Simpson, Inja immersed herself in a liberal arts education. She passed on the lessons she learned to her children, creating a foundation that would serve them well: an emphasis on the importance of good grammar, a wide vocabulary, and critical thinking.

In gratitude for Simpson College’s generosity, Dr. Sanghwan Lew, Inja’s husband of fifty-seven years, and his children have created the Inja Pak Lew Memorial Scholarship. They hope the scholarship will allow future Simpson College students—first-gen, international, or from a family that needs a hand—to devote themselves to academic excellence and have the courage to boldly pursue their dreams.