The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd. Endowed Scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business in honor of Emeritus Professor K.K. Seo, founder and director of the Asia Field Study Program. The Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd. Endowed Scholarship was established to provide scholarships to students participating in the Asia Field Study Program. The initial gift of $25,000 was matched by Jay Shidler’s matching gift funds for a total of $50,000 for scholarship.

Alumnus Lance M. Inouye and his family’s company Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd., established the Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd. Endowment in Honor of Professor K.K. Seo. The scholarship was created to support the Asia Field Study Program and also in appreciation of Professor K.K. Seo’s leadership and dedication to the program.

Lance Inouye participated in the Asia Field Study Program in 2004 and received an MBA degree from the Shidler College of Business in 2005. Inouye is currently president of the Ralph S. Inouye Company, Ltd., a general contracting firm that works on a diverse range of building, renovation, and engineering projects. A few notable UH projects include: the School of A rchitecture building and renovation of Krauss Hall.

"Not many professors have the ability to make a lasting impact on students’ lives like K.K. Seo. For over 20 years, Dr. Seo has been enriching students’ international experience with his Asia Field Study Program," said V. Vance Roley, Dean of the Shidler College of Business. "We are grateful that through Lance and Andrew’s support, more students will be able to experience international business firsthand."

For 23 years, Seo has given students a real world perspective of businesses in Asia through the Asia Field Study Program. In 2005, Seo retired from the Shidler College of Business with emeritus status.

Press Release: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=2103